Throughout History Bungotakada<\/strong> has grown until becoming the most attractive city of the Kunisaki Peninsula<\/strong>.\u00a0Therefore it cannot be overlooked if one is planning a trip to the\u00a0Oita prefecture\u00a0<\/strong>of\u00a0<\/strong>Kyushu island. In this rural city<\/strong> things have remained unchanged for thousands of years. Luxuriant nature<\/strong> and a respectful lifestyle persist inside this extraordinary environment. Tourists are still rare and yet, Bungotakada has amazing landscapes both inland\u00a0among the\u00a0rice fields<\/strong> and seaside<\/strong> with\u00a0its stunning bay.<\/p>\n
About 1300 years ago, The lands of\u00a0Tashibunoshou<\/strong>‘s were Usa sanctuary<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>properties. At that time the monks used the environment which is naturally suited to agriculture to grow rice in an unique shape.\u00a0 Through this process the landscape was\u00a0shaped and has\u00a0remained almost unchanged since.<\/p>\n
To get a great panoramic view over Tashibunoshou<\/strong>, you will have to climb up to the Yuhi Kan-non observatory<\/strong> (Kan-non twilight). Unfortunately getting to the access path was a bit complicated, and\u00a0my taxi driver had to ask for directions\u00a0from a local farmer. After we left the main road for a more countryside one, following the signs labeled\u00a0\u5915\u65e5\u89b3\u97f3<\/strong>\u00a0(Yuhi<\/b>\u00a0Kan-non<\/b>) we finally arrived and parked along a bamboo forest. Then, a few meters further we discovered the observatory entrance.<\/p>\n
When visiting Tashinobushou, <\/strong>its best to\u00a0choose well during which\u00a0season you would like to come. In September just before the harvesting,\u00a0the rice fields are all golden<\/strong> as in these pictures. Beautiful red flowers, called Higanbana<\/strong> in Japanese, or lycoris radiata in latin, bloom when as autumn approaches and add more colors to the rice fields.<\/p>\n
On the second Sunday of October<\/strong>, a festival is organized for the rice harvest<\/strong>. On that occasion, it is possible to dress up in a traditional ancient costume and help the local farmers at work. Another festival is also held on the second Sunday of June<\/strong>, this time planting rice. Again help is welcome! June\u00a0is the perfect time to watch clouds of fireflies<\/strong> fluttering in the fields, so its a good time to visit. Finally, according to my taxi driver, between November and December Christmas illuminations are set up in the fields. Every evening from 7 to 9 pm Tashibunoshou<\/strong> shines\u00a0through the night.<\/p>\n
From Yuhi Kan-Non observatory a ten-minute drive leads to the National Treasure<\/strong>\u00a0known as Fuki-ji temple. Built in 718, Fukiji temple belongs to Tendai buddhism. The temple is a quiet and peaceful place whose building\u00a0are considered to be the oldest wooden building\u00a0in the whole of Kyushu island.\u00a0Entrance to the temple costs 300 yen.<\/p>\n
Back to the car to continue we continue onto the next destination at the end of the\u00a0Kunisaki<\/strong> Peninsula, Nagasakibana.\u00a0<\/strong>A 20-minutes drive through winding mountain roads\u00a0is necessary to get there, but as soon as I caught that first glimpse of the ocean behind the last late-September-blooming sunflowers field, I knew it was worth it.\u00a0Nagasakibana\u00a0<\/strong>is a villa which draws inspiration from French Brittania, with its own artificial beach.<\/p>\n
Back on the main road, after a two minute stroll\u00a0over to the parking site\u00a0we finally\u00a0get to have a closer look at the beautiful and huge beach<\/strong>. On the day of my visit I was lucky to have the whole beach area to myself! well, except for two fishermen in the distance on a large stone jetty.<\/p>\n
Nagasakibana<\/strong> is also famous for\u00a0its\u00a0sea caves found on the Northwestern side of the area. From the parking area, walk North into the Peninsula\u00a0for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then, explore the surroundings to find the stairs or the path that lead down to the rocky coast and its numerous points of view. Take care on the steep paths. If\u00a0you feel a bit lost in the area, do not hesitate to ask for help at the coffee place.<\/p>\n
No buses<\/strong> run between these different touristic spots. Thus\u00a0you have two options.<\/p>\n
First, you could rent a car in or around Oita airport, then do the 20 minutes-drive to Tashibunoshou. Alternatively, you could ride\u00a0<\/strong>a taxi from Usa station or Showa no Machi station. Usually, taxi drivers can also act as a guide, provided you are able to communicate in Japanese. My trip with my taxi driver cost me 17, 000 yen (149 US dollars). It is also possible to negotiate a set price in advance, depending on the time, season, and the number of spots you would like to visit.<\/p>\n