ROKUGO MANZAN CULTURE / Bungotakada City

The Kunisaki Peninsula in the Northeast of Oita Prefecture is where Rokugo Manzan Culture originated around 1,300 years ago. It is home to many temples and stone Buddhist monuments nestled within its mountains. In fact, the area where Rokugo Manzan Culture began is believed to be the site where the unique Japanese religion, the syncretism of Shintoism and Buddhism, was born.

‘Rokugo’ refers to the six valleys on the peninsula, while ‘Manzan’ signifies a group of temples. These temples have established a network of faith by dividing themselves into three roles– the head temple (Moto–yama) for education, the middle temple (Naka–yama) for ascetic practice, and the end temple (Sue–yama) for worship. Being aware of this background information before visiting these temples will allow you to view them with a deeper understanding of their history and culture.

For example, the National Treasure ‘Fukiji Temple’s Main Hall’, is the oldest wooden building in Kyushu, and exudes a palpable sense of tranquillity. There is also the ‘Kumano Magaibutsu’, a collection of majestic stone Buddhas carved into a cliff face; the wooden Buddha sculptures lined up in the ‘Makiodo Temple’ which are recognised as Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property; and ‘Tennen–ji Temple’, famous for hosting the fire festival Shujo–onie. Through interacting with these places and events, visitors can connect with the spiritual heritage and mountains which have been preserved by the local people of Kunisaki.