Kunitachi Peninsula, Nakatsu, Usa Travel Guides

The Kunisaki Peninsula, Nakatsu, and Usa areas offer tourist attractions such as Kiyomizu Temple, Usa Jingu Shrine, and Mt. Hidehiko; sightseeing events such as the Tenjin Festival, Tsuruichi Hanagasanboko Festival, and Usa Natsukoshi Festival; and local gourmet foods such as waffles, Nakatsu Karaage, and sweet potatoes.

Nakatsu is also known as the place where Yukichi Fukuzawa spent his life until the age of 19. The main house where he was born and the storehouse that was converted into his study room are open to the public at the former residence of Yukichi Fukuzawa. There are also valuable museums related to medicine and Dutch studies, such as the Oe Medical House Museum and the Murakami Medical House Museum.

Nakatsu Castle, built by Kuroda Nyosui, is able to draw seawater through a sluice gate, and together with Takamatsu Castle and Imabari Castle, is considered one of the three most famous water castles in Japan. The area is a must-see for history buffs, with its earthen walls and whitewashed samurai residences that are reminiscent of those days.

To extend your visit to the Usa area, a drive around the Kunisaki Peninsula is recommended to visit mountain Buddhist temples and stone Buddhist monuments. The Kumano Magaibutsu, a giant Fudo Myoo and Dainichi Nyorai carved into the cliff, and Usa Shrine, the head shrine of all Hachiman shrines in Japan, are just a few of the sights to see.

In "Bungo Takada Showa no Machi," the shopping street has been renovated to look exactly as it did in the Showa period (1930s). The town has been so realistically recreated that it has been called a "living museum." Visitors can see retro meat cutters, rice cake pounding machines, and other equipment. In the "Showa Roman Storehouse," you can enjoy a time-slip experience by viewing old-fashioned anime figures and other items such as candy.

If you want to enjoy an energetic outdoor life, cycling in Yabakei is recommended. The Maple-Yama Bike Path winds through a magnificent natural setting of oddly shaped rocks and majestic peaks.

You can also ride around the Ao no Doumon (Blue Cave Gate), a tunnel carved into the rock face, and Yabakei Bridge, which has eight arches and is the only one of its kind in Japan. The scenery changes with the seasons, from fresh greenery to autumn foliage to snowy landscapes. If you need a break, we recommend the café "Kijeiza," which is housed in a closed elementary school building.

For gourmet dining, the best choice is the local cuisine, which uses an abundance of delicacies from the mountains. At "Grenadier's Peak," where you can enjoy your meal while gazing at the famous mountain peaks, a wide variety of local chicken dishes can be enjoyed, including sashimi, tataki, grilled skewers, fried chicken, and nabe (hot pot).