For The Photography Fans
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Monjusenji Temple – The Ultimate Spiritual Wisdom Spot of Kunisaki
Have you ever heard of the temple of wisdom known as Monjusenji (文殊仙寺)? This little mountain temple located in the Kunisaki Peninsula (国東半島) of Oita prefecture (大分県), is an off the beaten track destination that only the locals or the most die-hard explorers would have heard off. In fact, the temple is considered the go-to spot among meditation enthusiasts and nature lovers who wish to explore forest bathing. Let’s explore this enchanting spiritual spot deeper, shall we? History of Monjusenji Temple and How It is Related to Wisdom Read More Monjusenji (文殊仙寺), just like the Kunisaki peninsula’s poster boy, Futagoji (両子寺) was also built during the inception of the Rokugo…
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Bungoono – A Complete Guide to Japan’s Secret Beautiful Geopark
A relatively unknown geopark among tourists, Bungoono is home to various fascinating landscapes and nature galore. In fact, the region itself is filled with lush forests, deep canyons, stunning waterfalls and even rustic religious sites. It’s minor presence is not surprising however, given the reclusiveness of the region as well as extremely scarce public transportation. Nevertheless, Bungoono will definitely rewards those who take their time to research and explore the beauty of the area. Let’s explore deeper into this gorgeous geopark, shall we? The History of Bungoono Read More About The Origin of This Fascinating Geopark Bungoono’s history dated 90,000 year ago; where the volcano Mt Aso (阿蘇山) erupted frequently.…
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Six Gorgeous Nature Spots to Check Out in Bungoono
Located south of Oita city (大分), Bungoono (豊後大野) is a city renowned for its gorgeous geological site, filled with many beautiful nature spots. This is because it was formerly a volcanic region that was created from the eruptions of the nearby Mt Aso (阿蘇山) thousands of years ago. And yet surprisingly, the site is still relatively unknown amongst the travel community; mainly due to the lack of public transportation as well as marketing towards foreign tourists. To my surprise, these nature sites are equally as gorgeous as the famed Mt Fuji (富士山), but also shamefully underrated. Due to the lack of foreign tourists, these sites do offer plenty of personal…
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Futagoji Temple – A Complete Guide to Kunisaki Peninsula’s Poster Boy
The name Futagoji (両子寺) is no stranger for anyone who has visited or lived nearby the Kunisaki peninsula. And yet, this temple remains relatively unknown among the travel circle given its secluded location. Futagoji is a small mountain temple located deep within the forests in the center of the peninsula. Because of this and also its iconic twin Nio guardians (仁王) statues, Futagoji is widely considered as the poster-boy temple of the region. In fact during my exchange to Oita, Japan, this was one of the first temples that I visited on a field trip. Despite having to travel in a large group while being accompanied by the enthusiastic chatters…
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Awe-Inspiring Scenic Sites in the Kunisaki Peninsula
The Kunisaki Peninsula (国東半島) is certainly no slouch when it comes to its variety of scenic sites. Humongous Buddha statues, former temple sites as well as mountain landscapes, the region is undeniably a hotspot for those wishing to dwell into the wilderness. It comes with no surprise, as for centuries, the region is the center of the Rokugo Manzan (六郷満山) culture, a practice that assimilates Buddhism together with Shintoism and mountain practice. With that in mind, lets explore some of these hidden scenic sites of the Kunisaki Peninsula. Special thanks to Tourism Oita for the images in this article, including header image. Save In Pinterest No time to read this…
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Bungoono – Admiring the Beautiful Autumn in Japan’s Enchanting Countryside
Have you ever heard of the autumn leaves (momiji/紅葉) spot known as Bungoono (豊後大野)? This little hidden city is known among locals as a lovely leaf-peeping or momijigari (紅葉狩り) spot. Located south of the city of Oita (pronounced ooi-ta/Ōita/大分) in Kyushu (九州), Bungoono offers an enchanting autumn experience together with a touch of Japan’s authentic countryside and rustic temples. To learn more about the beauty of this city, lets deep dive into it, shall we? The History of Bungoono Learn More Bungoono’s history dated 90,000 year ago; where the volcano Mt Aso (阿蘇山) erupted frequently. This resulted in the everchanging landscapes; leading to the formation of various mesmerising waterfalls, canyons…
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9 Best Hidden Road Trip Destinations Around Usa, Ōita
Hello fellow travelers, did you know there are plenty of hidden destinations to explore nearby the city of Usa (宇佐/pronounced oo-sah)? Usa is located one-hour drive from Beppu (別府) and Ōita (大分) in Ōita Prefecture (大分県), Kyūshū (九州). Renowned for the Usa Jingū (宇佐神宮) shrine, many often overlooked Usa’s other destinations due to limited busses and exposure. Despite this, their natural beauty certainly warrants the attention for those seeking a more fulfilling Japan trip. Furthermore, their limited access via public transportation gives the perfect excuse to rent a car for a road trip. With that said, here are 10 must explore destinations nearby Usa via car on a road trip. Special…
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Photography in Kitsuki – Most Gorgeous Spots to Look Out For
Japan’s only sandwich castle town, Kitsuki (杵築) is certainly a hidden photography haven. Boasting samurai residences from the 17th century Edo period (Edo Jidai/江戸時代), it presents a wonderful spot for those wishing to dwell into the samurai (侍) world. Furthermore, its secluded location allows for a peaceful surrounding while presenting plenty of wonderful photo opportunities to discover. It is relatively easy to snap a photo without having other tourists photobombing your shots. Without reservation, here are my personal favourite photography spots (and selfies too) in this little castle town. Kitsuki Castle Grounds What better way to start the list than to introduce Kitsuki’s mascot, Kitsuki Castle (Kitsuki-jō/杵築城). The castle holds…
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Kitsuki Castle – A Complete Travel Guide To Japan’s Smallest Castle
Welcome back fellow travelers. Previously, we covered the hidden history together with the tragedy behind Kitsuki Castle (杵築城), Japan’s smallest castle. Subsequently, the castle was nearly forgotten throughout the passage of time. Fortunately, in 1970, the local council of Kitsuki (杵築) decided to rebuild the castle keep and later turned it into the town’s mascot. Did you know this little castle holds a treasure that very few people know about? Join me as today, we will be exploring the treasure that Kitsuki Castle holds dearly. Exploring Kitsuki Castle About Kitsuki Castle Located 25 km from the city of Beppu (別府) in the island of Kyushu (九州), the castle is located…
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Kitsuki – A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the Sandwich Castle Town
Imagine a neighbourhood where samurai (侍) clans lived together as opposite neighbours. Introducing Kitsuki (杵築), a relatively authentic mini castle town, with a reputation as the hidden Little Kyōto (京都) in Kyushu (九州). Located in the Kunisaki peninsula (国東半島) in Kyushu, the town lies along the coast facing the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海). It is the only sandwich castle town in Japan. To clarify its nickname, firstly, this town does not specialise in sandwiches. Instead, the town has a unique townscape of having two samurai districts on its hills; both of them sandwiching a commercial district in the middle. Yet, Kitsuki (杵築) remains relatively unknown due to its rural location…
