FAIRYTALE TOWN / Kusu Town

Kusu Towm is famous for its ‘Fairytale Town’. Driving along the Oita Expressway from the direction of Fukuoka towards the Kusu Interchange, you will see a large red ogre statue standing in the mountains as if to greet visitors. Monuments of characters from fairytales, such as Momotaro and Kintaro, are dotted around the town delighting visitors, including at the roadside station where it welcomes you to ‘Kusu: Fairytale Town’.

The reason why the town is known as the ‘Fairytale Town’ is thanks to the legacy of Takehiko Kurushima, a children’s literature author who was born in Mori–Town in Kusu–gun, now part of Kusu Town. He was a leading figure in Japanese fairytale storytelling and is often referred to as the ‘Andersen of Japan’. He is also known for establishing the groundwork for modern children’s literature, playing an important role in laying the foundation for Boy Scout activities in Japan, and introducing the first Montessori teaching materials from the USA. To celebrate his achievements, the ‘Japan Fairytale Festival’ takes place every May, serving as a vibrant event that familiarises people with the realm of fairytales.