Visiting the Kudaragi area of Yatsushiro city, Kumamoto

First, we visited to the Kudaragi (百済; Baekje) area of former Sakamoto Village (坂本村), now marged with the city of Yatsushiro (八代) in August 2005. The name Baekje still exists here of post office, gym etc. They were probably settled here due to its defect in the Battle of Baekgang in 663.

The Kutaragi-jinja (久多良木神社) Shrine is located in this area. It's a very rustic shrine, but has a great faith for local worshipers.

Precinct of the shrine.

The main torii is standing at the entrance.

Next to the shrine, there is an elementary school, called Kutaragi ES. The school is now abandoned, but it has been kept in a clean state still.

About 100m further down the road from the shrine, you can find a monument of Kudararaijizo-do (百済来地蔵堂) Temple. It means the Buddha statues come from Baekje at that time. The tomb of Nichira (日羅), considered to be one of the Baekje royal family, is located inside the temple. I went there, but I don't know where it is. So I missed his tomb. Maybe I'll try next time.

Rice fields spread around the area.

With abandoned Kutaragi Elementary School in the background.

After that, we headed off to the Kumagawa Railway Bridge No.1 in Kamase area. It takes 30 minutes from here.

To be continued..