(10) Kyushu Trip: 27-28 Dec 2016 - Usa / Nakatsu / Fukuoka / Singapore

___________________________

27-December-2016

___________________________

We checked out the Beppu Hotel in the morning and proceeded to Usa Shrine.

Usa Shrine (宇佐神宮, Usa Jingū), built in the 8th century, is located at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula. It is the head shrine of thousands of shrines across Japan that are dedicated to Hachiman, the god of archery and war, who has also been identified with the legendary 15th emperor of Japan, Emperor Ojin. Usa Shrine had a big influence on the Kunisaki Peninsula's culture and shaped the local mountain worship religion. The shrine's main hall is a designated national treasure and the prototype of the Hachiman-zukuri style of shrine architecture. In this architecture style, the shrine buildings consist of two halls whose roofs are connected with each other, essentially forming a single building. They are, furthermore, surrounded by a covered corridor that makes it difficult for visitors to have an unobstructed view onto them.

It was cold and raining.

Next destination was the Bungotakada "Showa no Machi".

Bungotakada "Showa no Machi" is a section of town in Bungotakada made to re-create the vibrancy and the authentic feel of the warm and nostalgic 50's in Japan. Walk around the city filled with retro billboards and structures, it is as if you have traveled through time back to the Showa period.

One final destination before returning back to Fukuoka, we set off to Nakatsu Castle.

Also known as Ogi Castle, the castle in Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture is classified as one of the three great “water castles” of Japan, along with Imabari Castle and Takamatsu Castle in Shikoku, because of its use of the sea as part of its defensive structure. Construction of Nakatsu Castle was begun in 1587 by Kuroda Yoshitaka, but following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, he was awarded a larger fief in Fukuoka and Nakatsu Castle was completed by his replacement Hosokawa Tadaoki who also built Kokura Castle. In 1632 the Ogasawara clan were given Nakatsu Castle and they stayed until 1717 when they were replaced by the Okudaira who remained in charge until the abandonment of the castle in 1871 when the domains were abolished by the new Meiji Government. In 1877 the castle was burned down by local samurai during the Seinan War, more popularly known as Saigo's rebellion. The current concrete reconstruction of the 5 storeyed keep was built in 1964. As no images or plans of the castle existed, Nakatsu was modelled on the keep of Hagi Castle.

It was time to wind down and conclude our tour. We headed back to Fukuoka.

We arrived back to Fukuoka during dinner time and checked in to Hakata Green Hotel (right next to Hakata Train Station. We proceeded to return the car to the Budget (Hakata-Gion) Car Rental office and patronized the shopping malls surrounding the train station. It was a time for last minute shopping.