Also known as Usa Hachimangu or 宇佐八幡宮 in Japanese, is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Usa in Oita prefecture. Founded during the Nara period Usa Jingu has a complex history. Indeed it is believed that the first foundation of the shrine took […]

Read more

Located in the small streets of Usa city in Oita prefecture, Gogan-Ji temple has been made famous by opposing the sitting lord and Samurai Utsunomiya Shigefusa, who died during the battle between Kuroda Kambei the newly appointed lord of the nearby Nakatsu castle. [...]

Read more

Located in Kinsusaki peninsula, Maki Odo used to be the largest Makisan-Denjoji temple of the Tendai sect in the area. It's said that it was a lecture place where Buddhist priests practiced asceticism and do training in. On the temple grounds […]

Read more

Located in Kinusaki peninsula, Kumano Magaibutsu is the largest Buddha image carved into a rock face in Japan. It is said that this statue was carved in a single night by goblins living nearby during the late Heian period. Two statues were built with a 8M tall Fudo Myoo […]

Read more

Oita prefecture is unique in many ways. It offers some of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes, with Kunisaki peninsula being our favorite! But Oita is also famous for its approach to religion with the Rokugo Manzan that contains elements of Buddhism, Shinto and mountain worship.  It’s where both Buddhist and Shinto […]

Read more

Located in the heart of the amazingly beautiful Kinusaki peninsula in Oita, Fuki-ji temple is the oldest wooden structure existing in all of Kyushu. National Treasure Fuki-ji Temple is one of the nation's three major Amida-do sanctums along with Byodo-in in Uji and Chuson-ji […]

Read more

Tsuka No Ma Onsen, formerly Shoya No Yakata, is a gorgeous Onsen Ryokan located in the spring resort area of Yufuin in Oita prefecture and renowned for its natural blue hot springs. Overlooking both Mt. Yufu Dake and Mt. Kuju this roughly 16500m2 area offers […]

Read more

Located in the Kinusaki Peninsula of Oita Prefecture, one of Japan’s most beautiful areas, Monjusenji Temple is believed to have been founded in 648 by the Father of Shugendo, En no Gyoja, acclaiming Monju Bodhisattva as the temple’s main idol of worship from Godaisan, China. [...]

Read more

Maybe one of Oita’s best-known temples, Futago-ji, is located in the Kunisaki Peninsula and was built in 718 A.D. by Ninmon. Futagoji is also famous for its two Nio Guardian figures build in hard stone and capable of withstanding whatever mother nature can throw them at. [...]

Read more

Located a few minutes away by walk from Kitsuki Castle in the heart of Kitsuki City in Oita, Ohara-Tei is the residential building used during the Edo period to house karo top-ranking officials of the Matsudaira Domain. [...]

Read more

First built in 1394 by the fourth daimyo Kizuki Yorinao and located in the city of Kitsuki in Oita prefecture, the Kitsuki Castle is, believe it or not, Japan’s smallest and obviously cuttest caste! [...]

Read more

Less “violent” than the Okoshi Daiko, the first part of the Hida Furukawa Matsuri, the festival floats parade, known as Yatai, includes the display of nine beautifully decorated festival floats moving through Furukawa. Each Yatai is carried and taken care of by each of the Hida Furukawa city factions […]

Read more