Kitsuki Historical Districts

Kitsuki Historical Districts

Kitsuki is located to the north-west of Oita Prefecture. Kitsuki was the capital of the Kitsuki feudal domain during the Edo Age (1603-1868) . To the west of Kitsuki Castle, two small hills lie parallelly in an east to west direction. A slender lowland is sandwiched by these two small hills. "Samurai" residences, retainers' residences of the castle lord, were located on these two small hills and these two areas now become historical districts.

If you walk to the west from Kitsuki Castle, you will go up the "Kanjyoba-no-Saka" Slope to the north hill.

The "Kanjyoba-no-Saka" Slope is the entrance of the north historical district in Kitsuki. Mud walls line along both sides of the slope and the avenue on the north hill. These mud walls show the sites of the "Samurai" Residences.

The below-left picture shows "ISOYA" residence. The written record says ANZAI Genbei lived in this residence in the middle of eighteenth century.

The above-right picture shows the gate of school of the Kitsuki Domain. The Kitsuki Domain School was founded in 1788 by MATSUDAIRA Chikakata (1753-1802) , who was the seventh feudal lord. The site of the domain school now becomes the Kitsuki Elementary School.

In the middle of the historical district on the north Hill, OHARA Residence is located.

OHARA Residence was once used as a palace of the domain lord. The garden has the most formal style, which is the same style as the garden of feudal lords.

The thatched roofed residence building was very impressive. It was just at the sunset when I visited. This scenery is unforgettable.

To the west of OHARA Residence, the "Suya-no-Saka" Slope is located to the south. You will see the "Shihoya-no-Saka" Slope from the lowland to the south hill, the other side of the hill.

The below picture shows the view of the "Suya-no-Saka" Slope from the "Shihoya-no-Saka" Slope across the slender lowland. You will see OHARA Residence on the right side of the "Suya-no-Saka".

The Kitsuki Castletown Historical Museum is located on your left, if you go up the "Shihoya-no-Saka" Slope. The museum exhibits the dioramas of Kitsuki, the cultures and the lives of people in Kitsuki during the Edo Age.

There is an observation deck on the ground of the Kitsuki Castletown Historical Museum. You can see Kitsuki Castle from the observation deck. Kitsuki Castle is located at the mouth of the Yasaka River, which flows into Beppu Bay. The view of the castle tower of Kitsuki Castle was spectacular.

Please refer the page of "Kitsuki Castle" for more detail:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kyushu/KitsukiCastle_E.html

To the west from the Kitsuki Castletown Historical Museum, You will walk in the historical district on the south hill. The sites of "Samurai" residence line along streets on the south hill. It was at the evening twilight hour, the atmosphere of the historical district was excellent.

You will see the Kitsuki Catholic Church on in the westside of the historical district on the south hill.

In Japan, the Christianity was introduced by Francisco de Xavier in 1549, at the end of the Muromachi Age (1336-1573) . The number of Christians in Japan were increased at that time, especially in Kyushu, because many territory lords in western Japan encouraged the people in their territory to be a Christian. In Oita Area, OTOMO Sorin (1530-1587) , who governed Oita Area at the end of the Muromachi Age, became a Christian and protected Christianity.

However, at the beginning of the Edo Age, the Christianity was prohibited in 1612. Many of Christians had retained their faith until the end of the Edo Age, as a crypto-Christian.

To the east from the Kitsuki Catholic Church, the "Ameya-no-Saka" Slope is located.

Steep stone steps continued to the lowland between two small hills. Merchants lived in the lowland during the Edo Age. The atmosphere at the "Ameya-no-Saka" Slope was also very nice and remains the atmosphere as in the Edo Age.

Kitsuki is a small but a nice historical town, which remains many attractive sites of "Samurai" residences and maintains good atmosphere.

How to get there
From Tokyo or Osaka, take a "Nozomi" bound for Hakata. Change at Kokura Station to a Limited Express "Sonic" to Kitsuki Station. Bus service is available from Kitsuki Station to Kitsuki Downtown ("Kitsuki Bus Terminal"). Alternatively, fly to Oita Airport and take a bus from Oita Airport to Kitsuki Bus Terminal.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Ruins of Kitsuki Castle
Ruins of Hiji Castle
Ruins of Funai Castle
Usuki Castle Town
Taketa Castle Town