Onsen resorts in Aso
Aso possesses the world’s largest Caldera with 18km west-east and 24 km north-south,
created by 4 times of explosive volcanic activity in the ancient time, 3 million years ago.
Surrounding the caldera is the world’s largest outer mountain, and there are 5 mountains.
There are many Onsen resorts where are located mountain foot of outer mountain.
Onsen resorts are;
Takamori, Minami-Aso, Tarutama, Toshinoki, Akamizu, Uchionomaki, and Kurokawa
Kawachi Wisteria Garden, in Kitakyushu-city
Kawachi Wisteria Garden is a private garden at the Mountain foot of Sarakura in
Kitakyushu-city and famous for its spectacularly presented, large numbers of wisteria flowers. The garden is opened to the public seasonally
during the wisteria season which usually peaks around late April to middle of May.
The garden’s most prominent features are two, roughly 100 meter long tunnels made of wisteria
trees of differing varieties and colors, ranging from white to dark purple.
Sakurai Futamigaura, in Itoshima
A beautiful sunset scenic spot at Genkai Sea. The place is selected as Japan’s 100 scenic
beauty sunset beach. Located in Genkai Quasi-National Park. The married rock is connected
by the large Shimenawa with 30 metre length and 1 ton weight. Male rock is 11.8 metre high
and Female rock is 11.2 metre height.
Shimenawa is the thick, twisted, straw rope. It was believed in ancient days that a Shimenawa
had the power to keep off evil sprits, so many objects connected with Shinto Shrines decorated
with Shimenawa.
Yame Central Tea Plantation, in Yame
The country of Green Tea, Yame. The Green Tea grown in Yame is one of the highest grade
of tea throughout Japan. This is the large Tea plantation spreading on a gently sloping hilly
area, about 70 ha.
There is an observatory at the top of hill, Ariake bay as well as Shimabara Peninsula in
Nagasaki-prefecture can be seen on sunny days.
Hokohara martyrdom place in Omura
This is a place related to the Kori-kuzure incident in Omura in 1657 in which
a large number of hidden Christians were arrested.
As many as 608 Christians were arrested, making it a rare and major incident
in the history of Christian oppression.
411 Christians were beheaded, and 131 of them were martyred at Hokohara
martyrdom place.
As a result of this incident, the Omura domain began implementing even stricter
policies prohibiting Christianity.
The believers have erected the monument to commemorate the martyrdom
at this location.
Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi, in Oita
The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan the 2nd longest in the World. Splendid
and beautiful view from the thrilling suspension bridge over the Naruko river valley.
The bridge is located in Kokonoe near Yufuin.
390 metre long, 173 metre height from the Naruko River valley.
Naruko River Valley south |
Naruko River Valley north |
Shindo Watefall |
26 Saints Pilgrimage route on January 29 in 1597
The route of this day was from Akama in Munakata to Wajiro, the distance
was 21 km.
Started at Akama accommodation and using Karatsu walking road, they went to
Wajiro passing through Koga and Shingu.
Accommodation was Wajiro where faced Hakata bay, in order to cross from
Saitozaki to Shikanoshima the next day.
Okawachiyama porcelain district, in Imari
Imari is most notable because of Imari porcelain which has 400 years history.
The city borders Arita to the south and embraces the natural port of Imari Bay.
The porcelain was exported from the port of Imari specifically for the European
export trade.
Okawachiyama porcelain district
Originally, an owner of the Imari porcelain was Nabeshima clan, in order to develop
and protect its outstanding technique, he gathered skilled artisans and painters in
Okawachiyama district. Now. about 30 potteries are manufacturing Imari porcelain.
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.
Shimabara Peninsula Martyrs Memorial Cathedral
This Cathedral is house of prayer for tens of thousands Christians who were martyred
between 1612 and 1658 throughout the Shimabara Peninsula.
It was built in 1997 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of 26
Japanese Saints and the 360th anniversary of the Shimabara Rebellion.
The Cathedral is a beautiful octagonal building with a large octagonal dome.