Visiting Buzen Kokubunji Temple, Miyako, Fukuoka

In the evening, we went to Buzen Kokubunji (豊前国分寺) Site Park in Miyako, Fukuoka. According to Wikipedia, Kokubunji were Buddhist temples established in each provinces of Japan by Emperor Shomu during the Nara period. The site is now a historical park and there is a three-storied pagoda in the park.

We were on our way from Usa Jingu which we visited in the afternoon. We were going straight there on National Route 10 and Higashi-Kyushu Expressway. Getting off the super highway at Miyako-Toyotsu Interchange, then we were going up west on Fukuoka Prefectural Route 58. My car🚗 gps says there is a similar place called Buzen Kokufu Site Park along the road. Kofuku (国府) means the capitals of the historical provinces of Japan. There's nothing to see here only the ancient tomb (古墳 kofun) grounds and a play ground. We really wanted to see the triple tower so we ask salesperson in the grocery store to how to get there. She said, "You should go down the way, then turn right into the old provincial road". We went down that road and turn right on the next corner. When the gps says that it is, we finally got here.

We parked a car at the parking lot and start walking.

We were passing through the site of Kokubunji provincial temple to Buddhist tower.

The three-storied pagoda of Buzen Kokubunji temple. It seems that it was rebuilt during the Meiji era by the request of the priest, Koryo Miyamoto, while most of the main buildings were burned down in the Azuchi-Momoyama period.

The tower from the opposite side is like this.

Hanami at Tenjin Chuo Park, Fukuoka

On April 4, I went to Tenjin Chuo (Central) Park for hanami (花見, cherry blossom viewing parties). Today was a nice weather, so I decided to go to see cherry blossoms in full bloom. The park's cherry trees🌸 are in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms at Tenjin Chuo Park.

Cherry trees grow alongside of the Yakuin Shinkawa River.

But..
I didn't see anyone have a party under the trees. They didn't go out much because of the recent status of corona virus in Japan. I hope it'll be done quickly.

Visiting Usa Jingu Shrine, Oita

In the afternoon, we went to Usa Jingu (宇佐神宮), a Shinto shrine in the city of Usa, Oita. It is also called Usa Hachimangu (宇佐八幡宮) and known as the head of all Hachiman shrines more than 40,000 branches of shintoism in Japan.

Usa Jingu's Odorii (大鳥居). As name suggests, it's a very big torii gate about 1 meter and 40 centimeters only at the height of the lower concrete ground.

The steam locomotive🚂of numbered 26 used for Usa Sangu Railway operated by Oita Kotsu, a transport company in Oita Prefecture. He was once a hero master of the railway in the 1950s. It is now no longer in use and kept in the train shed.

A small loco from Germany is on display in front of big torii gate.

Let's take a walk to the shrine.

Before going to the main shrine, I washed my hands at Chozuya (手水舎).

Going a little further, you'll see a forked road both upper and lower sanctuaries. If you turn left, you'll get to the upper sanctuary (上宮 Jogu) where the main shrine is located. If you go straight, you'll be going to lower sanctuary (下宮 Gegu) see the picture below.

We wanted to see the main shrine but we don't know that there is. We decided to visit the lower sanctuary first, then going to the main shrine.

Now we're going down a narrow path to the main hall.

The Saidaimon (西大門) gate in front of the main shrine.

Finally we came here.

The main shrine of Usa Jingu, the most impressive ancient structure with Japanese Hinoki cypress wood🌳, is designated a national treasure of Japan.

I looked back on the lower sanctuary from the upper one.

Kurehashi (呉橋), an arch bridge spanning the Yorimo River. It is normally closed so you have to use another bridge to cross.

Seeing Hita Hinamatsuri dolls festival

On March 25, we had decided to take a drive🚗 to Hita to see Hinamatsuri dolls🎎 festival, a special day in Japan. Hinamatsuri is celebrated each year on March 3.

We visited to the Hina Goten (雛御殿) Doll Museum, a venue which is the doll festival is held. The Mamedamachi area in the heart of the city has been developed as a Tenryo (天領) that is the under control of the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period.

This museum has more than 4000 hina dolls collected by a soy sauce owner in the city. You can see them that are from the late Edo period up to nowadays. We have to pay a small fee of ¥300 per person but it's free during the special period such as Hinamatsuri.

Seven-tiered Hina Doll set at the tatami room.

I saw many Hina doll festivals at various places in Kyushu so far, but I guess it is the best doll festivals in Japan🗾.

More Hina doll set display at the museum.

The fan dolls of emperor enthronement ceremony. It's great Japanese craftsmanship, they just make everything they have.

A set of Goten Hina palace made by paper.

Information🛈

Name: Hina Goten Doll Museum (日田醤油雛御殿 Hita Shoyu Hina Goten in Japanese)
Address: 13-6 Mamedamachi, Hita, Oita Prefecture, Japan
Website: hitasyouyu.com (in Japanese)

The museum is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm est to Japan time.