Unravel One Thousand Years of Memories. A Completely Undiscovered Japan
- Millennium Heritage Journey -
This area boasts a history spanning over 1,000 years from the distant past, through ancient times, the Middle Ages, and up to the present day. The history that has shaped modern Japan is ingrained in its memories and has been carved into this region.
The start of history in this area is the combining of Buddhism and Shinto religions, ‘Shinbutsu shugo’ , at the Usa Shrine about 1,300 years ago. This belief culture which fuses Shinto gods and Buddhas is a kind of culture not seen anywhere else in the world, and perhaps it is precisely because of this that it has become a cornerstone of the essential Japanese spirit. This culture of fusing religions which originated in Usa and the Kunisaki Peninsula has proved to be timeless, and still remains today as the Rokugo Manzan culture.
The Usa Shrine owned about one third of the territories in Kyushu, but this power has been lost with the passage of time. Since then, each area has continued to develop in its own way; Nakatsu, Kitsuki, and Hiji have the characteristic shape of castle towns, while Beppu is prospering as an international onsen resort. Even after all the time which has passed, the Rokugo Manzan culture is still concentrated at the temples, and even today is being passed down through generations of local people.
Toyonokuni Millennium Heritage Tourism Zone is a place where you can immerse yourself in a completely unknown Japan. The Millennium Heritage Journey will unravel its history. The landscape and culture, the lives of the local people, the shrines and temples are still passing on this history. With each experience and encounter you will uncover something that has been forgotten, and perhaps this will be a journey that leaves you with unforgettable memories…
