Kokuzo shrine is featured in Engishiki, the list of shrines dating back to Heian period, which makes it one of the oldest shrines in Aso region.

Visit to Arita, a birthplace of Japanese porcelain

I visited Karatsu castle when I was in town for Karatsu Kunchi festival. I don’t remember for what reason (maybe because it was too early in the morning), the castle itself was closed…

Kitsuki is a beautiful castle town not far from Beppu, on Kunisaki peninsula. There is a small reconstructed castle and 2 samurai districts with a few residences open to the public.

This post is part of a series called Japan 2016 Kunisaki peninsula, a less traveled part of Kyushu, has been on my radar for a long time. It’s one of…

Usa Jingu is one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines in Japan. It is dedicated to Hachiman deity, and is the ancestor of all other Hachiman shrines.