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丹賀砲台園地（佐伯市）
TANGA BATTERY RUINS / Saiki City
丹賀砲台園地 （佐伯市）
佐伯市にある「丹賀砲台園地」は、かつて豊後水道（大分県と愛媛県に挟まれた海域）を防衛するために築かれた旧日本陸軍の要塞跡です。昭和初期、太平洋戦争前に建設され、豊後水道を通る敵艦を迎え撃つ拠点として、山頂に巡洋艦に搭載されていたカノン砲が2門（1基）設置されていました。
しかし、1942年の砲撃訓練中に砲弾が暴発し、多くの死傷者を出す事故が発生。現在、砲台そのものは撤去されていますが、設置されていた「砲塔井（ほうとうい）」と呼ばれる場所には傷跡が残っており、事故当時の記憶を物語っています。
砲台跡へは169段の階段を上りますが、物資を運ぶために設けられたスロープカーがあり、現在は観光客も利用できます。山頂に着くと、目の前には豊後水道の壮大な景色が。今は静かな公園となったこの場所で、過去との対比を感じてみてください。
※丹賀砲台園地は、老朽化に伴う改修工事のため、2025年7〜11月の間休館を予定しています。
TANGA BATTERY RUINS / Saiki City
The so-called ‘TANGA BATTERY RUINS’ in Saiki City are the site of a former Japanese Army fortress that was once built to defend the Bungo Channel (the area of sea between Oita and Ehime prefecture). It was built in the early Showa period before the Pacific War as a base for intercepting enemy vessels passing through the Bungo Channel, and so two cannons (one mounted on a cruiser) were installed on the summit of the mountain where it was built.
However, tragically a shell exploded on the site in 1942 during gunnery drills, resulting in an accident that caused many casualties. The cannons themselves have now been removed, but scars still remain in the ‘turret’ area where it was installed, testifying to the sad memory of the accident.
The remains of the battery can be reached by stairs (169 steps), or visitors can utilise the so-called “slope car” (small automated monorail), which was originally set up to transport supplies and is now open to the public for use. When you reach the summit you will have a magnificent view of the Bungo Channel in front of you. It is a great place to quietly contemplate the difference between the now calm ruins and their tragic past.
*Tanga Battery Ruin is scheduled to be closed for renovation from July to November 2025.
