Home
Back
Travel Reports by mfedley view profile of mfedley

previous post
list all posts
next post

Note: The opinions and views expressed in this user report are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of japan-guide.com.

January 28, 2017 - Templing in Kunisaki Hanto

After a good soak in an onsen at the aptly named Yamaga Onsen, I decided to spend my second full day in Oita driving to many of the different rural temples on the Kunisaki Peninsula. If there were two things I would use to describe today, it would be windy roads and plenty of stairs.

For today, I visited the following temples in order

(1) Futago-ji Temple (visited yesterday)
(2) Magaibutsu
(3) Makiodo Temple
(4) Fuki-jiTemple
(5) Choan-ji Temple
(6) Monjunsen-ji Temple

Do note that some of the temples are easy to get to, but some are along very windy and narrow roads which would be extremely dangerous in snowy or very wet weather. Do to the elevation, Choan-ji and Futago-ji temple may have snow if there has been a large amount of snow on Honshu.

My first temple visited was Futagoji which is located close to the peak of Mt Futago. It costs 300 yen to enter and includes an impressive main hall and stone staircase to one of the sub temples.

The upper hall at Futagoji temple. It should be noted that the remnants of Shinto and Buddhist worship seem to be more present on the Kunisaki Peninsula compared to the rest of the country when both were separated under law during the Meiji Restoration.

My second stop was Magaibutsu (Tennoji Temple) which is known for two large carvings of Buddhas into the cliff face. Replicas of these carvings can also be seen at the Oita Prefectural History Museum in Usa.

Magaibutsu costs 300 yen to enter and it takes around 15 minutes to get to the top. It's around a 300 meter walk from memory.

My third temple of the day was Maki Odo, which also costs 300 yen to enter. Even though the grounds of this temple is small, there are 9 highly impressive statues which date back to the Heian and Kamakura Period. You are given an english pamphlet when you enter the temple.

To the side of the main treasure hall is a garden that is home to a large number of stone sculptures, some which are quite impressive. It's worth having a look at most people just visit the treasure house and move on.

Fukuji temple is home to the oldest wooden building on Kyushu, which is one of the reasons this building and the statue of Amitabha are designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It costs 300 yen to enter but is home to many tour groups.

When I first visited, there was around 4 or 5 people in the whole grounds so it was quite relaxing. Then, two full tour buses came and visited the temple so it was quite busy, but let's just say that a Japanese bus load of tourists are about a noisy as a car load of Chinese tourists (the less I say about this the better!).

My second last temple for the day was Choan-ji Temple which is located up a very windy road, so you won't get anything larger than a minibus up here! It costs 300 yen to enter and is famous for some masks used in the traditional fire festivals that takes place in Kunisaki Hanto.

My last temple of the day was Monjunsen-ji Temple which was free to enter and includes one of the more prettier stone staircases. The main hall is also built into the cliff which is quite a nice touch.

I really enjoyed my time on the Kunisaki Peninsula, and I'm happy that Uji stated that this was one of his favorite places in Japan (from memory). The temples themselves are nice but the scenery along the way is often breathtaking. Do note that a hire car is a must up here, or a bus tour is also possible. Do note that Japanese tour groups do move quickly, as they stated at Fukuji temple for around 5 minutes. My next post will be from Hiji Castle town which I visited later in the day.

Further Information
Bungotakeda Tourist Information: http://www.showanomachi.com/en/ (English)
Official Oita Website: http://en.visit-oita.jp/spots/detail/4796/ (English)

previous post
list all posts
next post

List of Posts:
2020/04/04 - Best of Japan - More Temples
2020/03/29 - Best of Japan - More Residences
2020/03/29 - Best of Japan - More Nature
2020/03/01 - Best of Japan - Historical
2020/02/22 - Best of Japan - More Shrines
2020/02/18 - Best of Japan - More Gardens
2020/02/15 - Best of Japan - Art & Events
2020/02/14 - Best of Japan - History & Museums
2020/02/12 - Best of Japan - Residences
2020/02/06 - Best of Japan - Views
2020/02/05 - Best of Japan - Animals
2020/02/04 - Best of Japan - Shrines
2020/02/02 - Best of Japan - Nature
2020/02/02 - Best of Japan - Festivals
2020/02/02 - Best of Japan - Castles
2020/01/30 - Best of Japan - Gardens
2020/01/27 - Best of Japan - Industrial Heritage
2020/01/27 - Best of Japan - Temples
2020/01/11 - Iizuka - Fukuoka
2020/01/11 - Tosu - Saga + Fukuoka Prefecture
2020/01/10 - Iriki to Kagoshima
2020/01/09 - Satsuma Food - Kagoshima
2020/01/09 - Ibusuki to Iriki - Kagoshima
2020/01/08 - Jigenji to Ibusuki - Kagoshima
2020/01/08 - Chiran - Kagoshima Prefecture
2020/01/07 - Tarumizu to Jigenji - Kagoshima
2020/01/06 - Kagoshima to Tarumizu
2020/01/05 - Sengan-an Area - Kagoshima City
2020/01/05 - Shiroyama Area - Kagoshima City
2020/01/04 - Kagoshima City - Day 1
2020/01/03 - Yakushima Drive - Kagoshima
2020/01/02 - Yakusugi Land - Yakushima
2020/01/01 - Shiratani Unsui - Yakushima
2019/12/30 - Cold & Soggy Kyoto
2019/12/29 - Kasuga Taisha to Station - Nara Prefecture
2019/12/29 - Todai-ji Area - Nara Prefecture
2019/12/28 - Kodaiji Area - Kyoto Prefecture
2019/12/28 - Takao - Kyoto Prefecture
2019/12/27 - Amanohashidate - Kyoto Prefecture
2019/12/27 - Yoshiminedera & Ine - Kyoto Prefecture
2019/12/26 - Imperial Kyoto
2019/12/25 - Southern Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/25 - Iga Ueno - Mie Prefecture
2019/12/24 - Omi Hachiman - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/24 - Higashi Omi - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/23 - Nagahama - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/23 - Chikubu Island - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/22 - Otsu to Nagahama - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/21 - Arima Onsen - Hyogo Prefecture
2019/12/21 - Kobe Day 2 - Hyogo Prefecture
2019/12/20 - Kobe Day 1 : Hyogo Prefecture
2019/01/11 - Obscure Kyushu : Kashima & Dazaifu
2019/01/10 - Obscure Kyushu : Arita
2019/01/10 - Obscure Kyushu : Takeo
2019/01/09 - Obscure Kyushu : Kurokawa to Ureshino
2019/01/08 - Obscure Kyushu : Aso to Kurokawa
2019/01/07 - Obscure Kyushu : Yamaga to Aso
2019/01/06 - Obscure Kyushu : Yamaga
2019/01/06 - Obscure Kyushu : Kumamoto Castle Sites
2019/01/05 - Obscure Kyushu : Outer Kumamoto City
2019/01/04 - Obscure Kyushu : Minamata
2019/01/04 - Obscure Kyushu : Izumi
2019/01/03 - Obscure Kyushu: Kirishima
2019/01/02 - Obscure Kyushu : Hitoyoshi
2019/01/02 - Obscure Kyushu : Yatsushiro
2019/01/01 - Obscure Kyushu : Amakusa
2018/12/31 - Obscure Kyushu - Munakata to Amasuka
2018/12/30 - Obscure Kyushu - Munakata
2018/07/18 - Hidden Honshu: Fukuyama
2018/07/17 - Hidden Honshu: Tomonoura
2018/07/17 - Hidden Honshu: Iwakuni
2018/07/16 - Hidden Honshu: Tsuwano
2018/07/15 - Hidden Honshu: Hagi's Residences
2018/07/15 - Hidden Honshu: Hagi's Shrine District & Temples
2018/07/15 - Hidden Honshu: Hagi's Castle Town
2018/07/14 - Hidden Honshu: Iwami Ginzan
2018/07/14 - Hidden Honshu: Izumo
2018/07/13 - Hidden Honshu: Yonago
2018/07/13 - Hidden Honshu: Matsue's Gardens
2018/07/12 - Hidden Honshu: Mikuni
2018/07/11 - Hidden Honshu: Awara Onsen
2018/07/10 - Hidden Honshu: Kanazawa's Museums
2018/07/09 - Hidden Honshu: Kanazawa's Samurai District
2018/07/09 - Hidden Honshu: Kanazawa's Castle District
2018/07/08 - Hidden Honshu: Sado's Shukunegi
2018/07/08 - Hidden Honshu: Southern Sado
2018/07/07 - Hidden Honshu: Northern Sado
2018/07/06 - Hidden Honshu: Getting to Sado
2018/07/05 - Hidden Honshu: Sakata
2018/07/04 - Hidden Honshu: Akita
2018/07/03 - Hidden Honshu: Kakunodate
2018/07/02 - Hidden Honshu: Nyuto to Tamagawa Onsen
2018/07/01 - Hidden Honshu: Morioka to Nyuto Onsen
2018/06/30 - Hidden Honshu: Matsumae
2018/02/23 - Southern Odyssey - Taketomi
2018/02/23 - Southern Odyssey - Ishigaki City
2018/02/22 - Southern Odyssey - Ishigaki Island
2018/02/21 - Southern Odyssey - Iriomote
2018/02/20 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa to Iriomote
2018/02/19 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa WW2 Sites
2018/02/19 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Day 5 Southern Attractions
2018/02/18 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Day 4 Naha
2018/02/17 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Day 3
2018/02/16 - Southern Odyssey - Ocean Expo Park
2018/02/16 - Southern Odyssey - Ie Island
2018/02/15 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Hanami Report
2018/02/15 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Day 1
2018/02/14 - Southern Odyssey - Amami to Okinawa
2018/02/13 - Southern Odyssey - Amami Day 3
2018/02/12 - Southern Odyssey - Amami Day 2
2018/02/11 - Southern Odyssey - Amami Day 1
2017/07/04 - Shikotsu Lake to Noboribetsu - Hokkaido
2017/07/03 - Otaru to Shikotsu - Hokkaido
2017/07/02 - Otaru - Hokkaido
2017/07/02 - Yoichi - Hokkaido
2017/07/01 - Biei to Sapporo - Hokkaido
2017/06/30 - Sounkyo Onsen to Biei - Hokkaido
2017/06/29 - Shibetsu to Sounkyu Onsen - Hokkaido
2017/06/28 - Hokkaido: Wakkanai to Shibetsu
2017/06/27 - Rebun Island - Lake Kushu & Kafuka
2017/06/26 - Rebun Island - Momoiwa Course
2017/06/25 - Rishiri Island - Hokkaido
2017/06/23 - Imaicho - Nara Prefecture
2017/06/22 - Asuka & Sakurai - Nara Prefecture
2017/06/22 - Nara Yamoto 4 Temple Pilgrimage
2017/06/21 - Yoshino - Nara Prefecture
2017/06/20 - Sakai - Osaka Prefecture
2017/06/19 - Osaka - Namba Area
2017/06/19 - Western Osaka
2017/06/18 - Kansai & Hokkaido Trip Intro & Central Osaka
2017/02/06 - Closed Kurume - Fukuoka
2017/02/05 - Miyazaki to Kobayashi
2017/02/04 - Obi Castle Town - Miyazaki
2017/02/04 - Nichinan Coast - Miyazaki
2017/02/03 - Gardens & Museums of Miyazaki City
2017/02/02 - Shrines of Takachiko - Miyazaki
2017/02/01 - Usuki City - Oita
2017/01/31 - Hita & Surrounds - Oita
2017/01/31 - Yufuin Onsen - Oita
2017/01/30 - Hells of Beppu
2017/01/30 - Oita City - Oita
2017/01/29 - Kitsuki Castle Town - Oita
2017/01/28 - Hiji Castle Town - Oita
2017/01/28 - Templing in Kunisaki Hanto
2017/01/27 - Nakatsu to Yamaga Onsen
2017/01/27 - Eastern Kyushu Trip Info & Nakatsu
2016/08/02 - Ohori Park - Fukuoka
2016/08/01 - Fukuoka's Gion Temple Cluster
2016/07/31 - Unzen Onsen - Nagasaki Prefecture
2016/07/31 - Shimabara - Nagasaki Prefecture
2016/07/30 - Nagasaki City - Northern City Attractions
2016/07/29 - Nagasaki City - Southern Attractions
2016/07/29 - Hashima - Nagasaki Prefecture
2016/07/28 - Huis Ten Bosch Day 2 (Day)
2016/07/27 - Huis Ten Bosch Day 1 (Night)
2016/07/26 - Hirado Part 2 - Nagasaki
2016/07/26 - Hirado Part 1 - Nagasaki
2016/07/25 - Gardens of Takeo - Saga Prefecture
2016/07/24 - Yutoku Inari Shrine
2016/07/24 - Ureshino - Saga
2016/07/23 - Yoshinogari Park - Saga
2016/07/23 - Saga City - Saga Prefecture
2016/07/22 - Yobuko - Saga Prefecture
2016/07/21 - Karatsu City - Saga
2016/07/20 - Mojiko - Fukuoka
2016/07/20 - Kokura - Fukuoka
2016/07/19 - Dazaifu - Fukuoka
2016/07/18 - Nokonoshima Island - Fukuoka
2016/07/17 - NW Kyushu Trip Info & Yanagawa
2016/03/02 - Shikoku Highlights
2016/02/21 - Hadaka Matsuri: Saidaji Temple Okayama
2016/02/20 - Okayama Museum Cluster - Okayama Prefecture
2016/02/19 - Marugame & Kotohira - Kagawa Prefecture
2016/02/18 - Matsuyama - Ehime Prefecture
2016/02/17 - Uchihiko - Ehime
2016/02/17 - Ozu - Ehime Prefecture
2016/02/16 - Seiyo
2016/02/16 - Uwajima - Ehime Prefecture
2016/02/15 - Kochi to Otsuki
2016/02/14 - Kochi - Kochi - Kochi
2016/02/13 - Toyo to Yasu via Aki
2016/02/12 - Naruto to Toya
2016/02/11 - Takamatsu to Naruto
2016/02/11 - Artsy Naoshima: Honmura Art Project
2016/02/11 - Artsy Naoshima: Tsutsuji-so to Miyanoura Port
2016/02/10 - Takamatsu - Kagawa Prefecture
2016/02/10 - Shikoku Trip Info & Artsy Teshima
2015/07/19 - Accommodation in Japan - Last Post
2015/07/19 - Food in Japan
2015/07/15 - Hongu Taisha - Wakayama
2015/07/14 - Shingu & Ogi Matsuri - Wakayama
2015/07/13 - Nachi Taisha & Kii-Katsuura - Wakayama
2015/07/12 - Kii-Tanabe & Kumano Kodo - Wakayama
2015/07/10 - Wacky Wakayama City - Wakayama
2015/07/08 - Tottori City - Tottori Prefecture
2015/07/06 - Izushi - Hyogo
2015/07/05 - Kinosaki Onsen - Hyogo
2015/07/04 - Yamanaka Onsen - Ishikawa
2015/07/03 - Wajima to Wakura - Ishikawa
2015/07/02 - Eastern Noto Peninsula Drive - Ishikawa
2015/07/01 - Kanazawa to Wajima - Ishikawa
2015/06/30 - Itoigawa Salt Road - Niigata
2015/06/29 - Coastal Itoigawa - Niigata
2015/06/28 - Kurobe Dam Railway - Toyama
2015/06/27 - Iiyama City & Madarao Kogen - Nagano
2015/06/26 - Rural Iiyama & Nozawa Onsen - Nagano
2015/06/24 - Manza Onsen - Gunma Prefecture
2015/06/23 - Kusatsu Onsen - Gunma
2015/06/21 - Dewa Sanzan - Yamagata
2015/06/20 - Tsuruoka to Dewa Sanzan - Yamagata
2015/06/19 - Tsuruoka Town - Yamagata
2015/06/18 - Haruna Jinja - Gunma
2015/06/17 - Japan Trip Intro, JR Pass & Yokohama
2014/10/25 - Koyo In Japan - A Collection of Photos
2014/06/22 - Narita & Sawara - My Last Post!
2014/06/14 - Yahiko - Niigata
2014/06/07 - Ajiro Onsen
2014/05/17 - Gifu City
2014/05/17 - Cormorant Fishing - Gifu City
2014/05/11 - Shorin-zan Daruma-ji Temple
2014/05/10 - Gunma Flower Park
2014/04/27 - Obuse - Cherry Blossom Report
2014/04/26 - Togakushi & Nagano
2014/04/13 - Toyokawa & Toyohashi
2014/04/12 - Futagawa - Cherry Blossom Report
2014/02/09 - Ono - Fukui Prefecture
2014/02/08 - Eiheiji & Fukui City
2014/01/19 - Nokogiri-Yama - Chiba
2014/01/03 - Izumo Taisha & Adachi Museum of Art
2014/01/02 - Matsue - Shimane Prefecture
2014/01/01 - Hagi - Yamaguchi Prefecture
2013/12/31 - Yamaguchi
2013/12/30 - Akiyoshido Cave - Yamaguchi Prefecture
2013/12/29 - Miyajima - Hiroshima Prefecture
2013/12/28 - Hiroshima
2013/12/27 - Onomichi - Hiroshima Prefecture
2013/12/26 - Kurashiki
2013/12/25 - Bitsu-Takahashi: Okayama Prefecture
2013/12/24 - Kibi Plain - Okayama Prefecture
2013/12/23 - Inujima Art Park - Okayama Prefecture
2013/12/22 - Okayama
2013/12/22 - Himeji Castle & Kokoen Gardens
2013/12/21 - Shoshazan Engyogi Temple Walk - Himeji
2013/12/16 - Tsumago to Magome - Spring & Winter
2013/12/08 - Ito - Through The Seasons
2013/11/26 - Kyoto Autumn Report - Central Kyoto to Higashiyama
2013/11/26 - Kyoto Autumn Report - Arashiyama Part 2
2013/11/25 - Kyoto Autumn Report - Arashiyama Part 1
2013/11/24 - Kyoto Autumn Report - Tofukuji & Night Illuminations
2013/11/17 - Showa Kinen Koen
2013/11/10 - Kofu City - Autumn Report
2013/11/09 - Shosenkyo Gorge - Autumn Report
2013/10/26 - Hirosaki - Apples & Temples
2013/10/25 - Hirosaki Castle Park & Surrounds - Autumn
2013/10/24 - Oirase Stream - Autumn Report
2013/10/23 - Lake Towada & Yasumiya - Autumn Report
2013/10/22 - Rural Tono - Autumn Report
2013/10/21 - Tono - Shrine Cluster
2013/10/20 - Central Tono - Iwate
2013/10/19 - Urabandai - Autumn Report
2013/10/02 - Kamikochi - Autumn Report
2013/09/29 - Mito - Ibaraki Prefecture
2013/09/28 - Rural Fukuroda & Ibaraki Flower Park
2013/09/14 - Atami - Shizuoka Prefecture
2013/08/16 - Noboribetsu - Summer & Autumn
2013/08/12 - Mt Asahidake - Daisetsuzan National Park
2013/08/11 - Asahiyama Zoo - Asahikawa
2013/08/10 - Sapporo - Summer & Autumn
2013/08/08 - Lake Toya - Hokkaido
2013/08/07 - Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
2013/08/06 - Osorezan - Shimokita Peninsula
2013/08/04 - Akita Kanto Matsuri
2013/08/03 - Yumoto Onsen to Chuzenji Lake Walk
2013/07/11 - Kyoto - Daigo-ji Temple
2013/07/10 - Kyoto - Mt Hieizan
2013/07/09 - Kyoto - Ohara
2013/07/07 - Kyoto - Koryuji Area
2013/07/06 - Uji - Summer
2013/07/05 - Hikone
2013/07/04 - Kyoto Station & Surroundings Attractions
2013/06/01 - Tokyo Parks & Gardens - Part 2
2013/05/26 - Tokyo Parks & Gardens - Part 1
2013/05/19 - Ouchijuku (Fukushima)
2013/05/18 - Aizu Wakamatsu (Fukushima Prefecture)
2013/05/13 - Geibi-kei Gorge & Ichinoseki
2013/05/11 - A Rainy Hiraizumi
2013/05/07 - Matsusaka Walk
2013/05/06 - Nara - Horyuji Temple & Koriyama Area
2013/05/05 - South West Nara Temple Trail (Golden Week)
2013/05/04 - Ise Naiku & Geku Shrines (Golden Week)
2013/04/29 - Western & South Eastern Kamakura Bike Ride
2013/04/28 - Yamadera Mountain Temple - Spring
2013/04/27 - Yamagata Cherry Blossom Report
2013/04/27 - Yonezawa Cherry Blossom Report
2013/04/20 - Nikko's Main Temples & Shrines
2013/04/20 - Nikko - Gardens & History Walk
2013/04/14 - Meiji Mura Park - Inuyama
2013/04/13 - Inuyama Town & Castle
2013/04/05 - Koyasan - Okunoin Temple & Temple Stay
2013/04/04 - Koyasan Bike Ride: From Daimon to Karukayado
2013/04/03 - Nara Park Cherry Blossom Report
2013/04/02 - Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report - Kiyomuzi & Nanzen-ji
2013/04/02 - Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report - Philosophers Trail
2013/04/01 - Kyoto Report - Temples, Shrines & Geisha
2013/03/30 - Furukawa - Takayama's Impressive Little Brother
2013/03/27 - Hakone Day Tour Loop
2013/03/26 - Cherry Blossom Report - Odawara Castle
2013/03/23 - Cherry Blossom Report - Yokohama @ Honmoku
2013/03/16 - Kamakura - North Western Bike Ride
2013/03/11 - Shimoda & Irozaki Coast
2013/03/09 - Minami-Izu Cherry Blossom Festival
2013/03/09 - Kawazu Cherry Blossom Matsuri & Kawazu Falls
2013/03/08 - Kamakura - Hase Area Walk
2013/03/03 - Kawaguchiko - Fuji Five Lakes
2013/02/24 - Kawasaki - On & Off The Beaten Track
2013/02/17 - Yamagata - An Unexpected Day Trip
2013/02/16 - Half of Yamadera & Zao Snow Monsters
2013/02/15 - Sendai - Winter
2013/02/14 - Matsushima - Winter
2013/02/09 - Yamanouchi Snow Monkeys & Nagano Zenkoji Temple
2013/02/06 - Shizuoka - Temples & Plum Blossoms