Aoi Aso Shrine, in Hitoyosi, Kumamoto-prefecture

 

Aoi Aso Shrine, located in Kami-Aoi-cho, Hitoyoshi-city, was designated as the first national treasure

in Kumamoto-prefecture by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2008,

as “an extremely outstanding Important Cultural Property and one with particularly deep cultural and

historical significance.”

The shine is the oldest extant shrine in the Hitoyoshi-city. It dates from 806 and bears similarities in

layout to the imperial palace of that time in Heiankyo (now Kyoto), which was built in 794.

Most of the current shrine buildings date from 1610 and are a blend of several architectural styles with

some unusual decorative details. 

An iconic symbol of the shrine

The approach to the worship hall passes through the two-story romon gate. The gate is 12 meters high,

with a steeply angled thatch roof. The transoms are decorated with dynamic carvings, including

episodes from a series of Confucian teachings (the Twenty-Four Exemplars of Filial Piety) and a pair

of carved white faces at each of the four corners. The carved faces are the only known carvings of their

kind in Japan and represent the emotions of pleasure, anger, sorrow, and joy.

Shochu brewery in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto-prefecture

 

Shochu is a Japanese distilled beverage less than 45% alcohol by volume. 

Typically shochu contains 25% alcohol by volume, which is weaker than whisky or

standard-strength vodka but stronger than wine and sake.

Takahashi Shuzo is a Shochu brewery in Hitoyoshi founded in 1900.

You can sample many kind of Shochu at Takahashi shuzo.

Yamanami Highway

 

Yamanami Highway is one of the most beautiful driving route in Kyushu from Yufuin to Aso through

Aso Kuju National Park, it is not expressway.

The literal meaning of Yamanami is a series of mountains.

The beautiful scenery can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Society of Edo period from 1603

 

The Edo period began in 1603 by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu who won the Battle

of Sekigahara and lasted for 260 years until 1868.

The Tokugawa shogun granted territory to feudal lords throughout Japan and  

controlled from Edo (current Tokyo).

The Tokugawa shogunate established many rules to prevent civil wars among feudal

lords and maintain a stable government.

Samurai laws; feudal lords were prohibited from repairing their castles or getting married

without permission from the shogunate.

Sankin Kotai : the party of feudal lords should visit Edo with own expense every two

years for preventing rebellion.

Establishment of Class system : classify samurai, farmer and merchant  

Ban on Christianity

The emperor became a symbol of traditional authority, delegating government to

the shogun.

Omura sushi

 

A local dish that has been passed down in Omura since ancient times.

During the ancient time, when feudal lord Omura Sumikore, who had been

defeated in battle and had his territory taken away, fought back and regained

his territory, the people of his territory made pressed sushi and served it to

celebrate.

It is said to have originated. The reason why it was pressed sushi was because

there weren’t enough tableware to feed a large number of soldiers. It is said that

the people spread large quantities of freshly cooked rice in a shallow wooden

box and quickly made pressed sushi with double toppings, which the soldiers

then ate by cutting it into squares with a wakizashi. Due to this tradition, the locals

have called it “Omura sushi, which means sushi to celebrate winning battles,

” and it is still valued as an indispensable dish for celebrations.

History of Dejima from 1636

 

Dejima was the fan-shaped artificial island in the bay of Nagasaki where was used

as a trading port during Japan’s National isolation of Edo period.

In 1636, the artificial island, Dejima was constructed to accommodate  Portuguese

who lived in Nagasaki and to prohibit Christian missionary work.

In 1638, trade with Portugal was prohibited and Dejima becaome an uninhabited island.

In 1641, the Dutch trading post in Hirado was moved to Dejima, and then the history of

trade with the Netherlands began at Dejima as only the gateway to European in Japan.

Mifuneyama rakuen

 

Beautiful Japanese Garden, located in the south-western foot of Mifuneyama.

onstruction of the garden took about 3 years and completed in 1845, the area is about 5ha.

The dynamic cliffs of Mifuneyama Mountain can be seen from the garden.

 

Spring season

 Autumn season

Mathew C Perry came to Uraga in 1853

 

In 1853, Mathew C Perry came to Uraga; the Commodore of the US navy,

who played a significant role in Japanese history, succeeded in opening Japan

to foreign countries.

Japanese industry was 200years behind European countries at that time,

and Japanese’s industrial revolution started in Saga, Kagoshima, Nagasaki,

Kitakyushu and other places in Japan.

Tulips

 

The first tulips were introduced to Japan in 1863, at the end of the Edo period, when bulbs

were brought back from France by the Shogunate’s mission to Europe.

Photos are taken at Onga River flower park in Nogata, Fukuoka-prefecture 

Phoenix Seagaia Resort, Miyazaki-prefecture

 

Phoenix Seagaia is a resort facility located in Hamayama, Yamazaki-cho, Miyazaki-city,

Miyazaki-prefecture.

As of 2024, its official name is “Phoenix Seagaia Resort.” The name is a combination of

“Sea,” meaning the ocean, and “Gaia,” meaning the earth.

It is home to the prestigious golf course “Phoenix Country Club” and Tom Watson Golf Course. 

There is Sherton Grande Ocean Resort which is a luxury Hotel of 154-meter

tower standing within a huge pine forest.