Information on past events is also posted.
Innai Tidbits
The southern end of the Innai area borders Kusu Town, and on the Kusu Town side is the Nishishiiya Falls, which originates from Hishidaidai. In the adjacent Nishishiiya district of this area, the water flows north as the Era River, and in the Mitsumata district in the south, close to the Usa area, it merges with the Tsubusa River, which flows out of the Ajimu Basin, to become the Ekikan River. Furthermore, because the Era River flows north through the eastern part of the Innai area, several rivers flowing from the western hills merge with it, and each of the river basins is a valley bottom plain with well-developed river terraces.
Among the representative cultural assets of the temple complex are three wooden Buddha statues from Ryuganji Temple, characterized by the style of the Heian period, which, along with the main hall, are designated as important national cultural properties. There is a theory that this temple is one of the 49 temples built by Gyoki Bodhisattva, and that it is the origin of the place name within the complex, but a connection to the place name Ajimu, derived from Kurain, is also possible.
Furthermore, Myōken-dake Castle, overlooking the Usa Plain, was the base of the Ōuchi clan, the governors of Buzen Province during the Muromachi period. From 1556 onwards, it came under the control of the Ōtomo clan and became a key castle for their control of Buzen. Well-preserved remains such as vertical moats and earthworks can be found on the mountaintop.
Because this area has deep rivers and valleys, settlements are scattered and isolated. Stone arch bridges were built to connect these settlements, and currently 75 of them remain, making it the densest concentration of stone arch bridges in Japan.
Among the representative cultural assets of the temple complex are three wooden Buddha statues from Ryuganji Temple, characterized by the style of the Heian period, which, along with the main hall, are designated as important national cultural properties. There is a theory that this temple is one of the 49 temples built by Gyoki Bodhisattva, and that it is the origin of the place name within the complex, but a connection to the place name Ajimu, derived from Kurain, is also possible.
Furthermore, Myōken-dake Castle, overlooking the Usa Plain, was the base of the Ōuchi clan, the governors of Buzen Province during the Muromachi period. From 1556 onwards, it came under the control of the Ōtomo clan and became a key castle for their control of Buzen. Well-preserved remains such as vertical moats and earthworks can be found on the mountaintop.
Because this area has deep rivers and valleys, settlements are scattered and isolated. Stone arch bridges were built to connect these settlements, and currently 75 of them remain, making it the densest concentration of stone arch bridges in Japan.
In recent years, the conical mountain towering over Nishi-Shiiya Village has become a hot topic of conversation as the "Machu Picchu of Usa" because it resembles Huayna Picchu, the highest peak of Machu Picchu, a world heritage site. In addition, the Yabakei welded tuff caused by a volcanic eruption about 400,000 years ago solidified and eroded with the same quality and hardness, resulting in the creation of the Takkiri Valley, a monolithic, flat river bed that stretches for 2 km.
National Route 387 runs along the Era River. As you travel over a difference in elevation of about 500m, you can enjoy the landscape with its varied elevations, including the Ryogo Rice Terraces, selected as one of Japan's top one hundred rice terraces, and the stone bridges reminiscent of stone art. Yuzu and loach are shipped all over the country as specialty products.
Takkiri Valley
Yuzu
Torii Bridge
Recommended Spots
When you think of Innai, you think of Ishibashi. In particular, there are observatories at Torii Bridge, Arase Bridge, Okutsu Bridge, Bunji Bridge, and Fujimi Bridge, which span National Route 387. The giant salamander of the Yoso River has been designated as a special monument of the country, and is famous for being the only one in Kyushu and having the southernmost habitat. It is specially open to the public at Michi-no-Eki Innai and Yo Onsen. Built in the shade of a rock in the Daimon district, the Ryūgan-ji Okunoin Reido Hall houses the approximately 3m-long Buddha statues of Yakushi, Amida, and Fudo Myoo, and is designated as a national important cultural property along with the Reido Hall as a Heian-style Buddhist statue. Many tourists visit Takkiri Valley to cool off in the summer, but it is also a popular spot during the season of fresh green leaves and autumn leaves. Mt. Kanarase, which has an altitude of 768m and is located on the border with Honyabakei-cho, Nakatsu City, is popular with people climbing to admire rhododendrons. Enma Cave, which was dug within the grounds of Fukugonji Temple, is designated as a historic site by the city. Hemi Garden is a Japanese garden built by an individual, but it is also open to tourists. Higaku Kagura and Tokehira Kagura are famous traditional performing arts.
Giant salamander
Eggs of the Japanese giant salamander
machu picchu in Usa
Ryuganji Temple
Tourism Initiatives
Outdoor music event "Jamaica Village"
Thanks to improvements to National Route 387, the number of visitors from Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures arriving in Usa City via the Kusu Interchange on the Oita Expressway has increased. From this area, visitors can not only travel to the Usa and Ajimu areas, but also enjoy wider-area sightseeing, including Yabakei, by using National Route 500 and Prefectural Route 44. In addition to the horizontal cooperation between the three temples of Yufuin, Ajimu, and Innai, the vertical cooperation between the mountains, countryside, and sea using National Route 387, which runs along the Era River and Ekikan River, has made it possible to scale up Usa tourism.
If we call the tourism in Innai, blessed with the natural beauty and history of the river, including giant salamanders, stone bridges, and terraced rice fields, "river tourism," then integrating it with Ajimu's green tourism and the marine tourism of the Choshu area can further enhance the appeal of Usa tourism. This area also boasts Heisei no Mori Park, which includes a baseball field, athletics track, tennis courts with a dome, and a sumo ring. In addition to promoting tourism through various sports events, the area also promotes tourism through arts and culture, making multi-purpose use of the facilities, such as the outdoor music event "Jamaica Village" and the "Innai Stone Bridge Village Concert."
If we call the tourism in Innai, blessed with the natural beauty and history of the river, including giant salamanders, stone bridges, and terraced rice fields, "river tourism," then integrating it with Ajimu's green tourism and the marine tourism of the Choshu area can further enhance the appeal of Usa tourism. This area also boasts Heisei no Mori Park, which includes a baseball field, athletics track, tennis courts with a dome, and a sumo ring. In addition to promoting tourism through various sports events, the area also promotes tourism through arts and culture, making multi-purpose use of the facilities, such as the outdoor music event "Jamaica Village" and the "Innai Stone Bridge Village Concert."