Introduction
Since ancient times, Japan has been a polytheistic country, with the belief that vaious gods reside in nature, plants, animals, etc. In contrast to the monotheistic world of Europe and Arabia, it can be said that Japan has diversity. In the past, education was done by uniting the emperor with the gods, but it’s interesting how many different types of gods appear as characters in myths. The world is trying to unify itself through monotheism because it is a multi-ethnic country, but Japan, speaking without fear of misunderstanding, is originally a single ethnic group, so it is acceptable for it to have various gods.
This time, I would like to trace the paths of various gods in Kumamoto prefecture. We will explore Mt. Aso as the reclining Buddha statue, the place where the god Amaterasu was lured out of rock door, and places where hidden Christians of the Edo period lived openly actually.
Detail
1st day(Buddha）
A ray of light in the pouring rain in Aso (driving 50 minutes from Kumamoto airport)
It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Mt. Aso to the popular Kurokawa Onsen. Along the way, there is a Daikanbo Observation Deck that overlooks the entire Mt. Aso and the caldera topography. There is also a herb farm “Apple Mint House” near Kurokawa Onsen where you can enjoy a wonderful lunch. There are also plenty of herbal souvenirs available.
2nd day(Shinto)
Takachiho Gorge, the abode of the gods (driving 80 minutes from Kurokawa Onsen)
On the way to Takachiho Gorge, drive along the Yamanami Highway, where you can get a panoramic view of Mt. Aso and Mt. Kuju. Afterwards, approach Takachiho Gorge along the outside of Aso’s somma. Be careful as the outer rim has deep valleys and it is easy to take the wrong path. There is a bridge to cross one of these valleys, but it is a rare one with a roof. The name of the bridge is written in kanji as “Bridge overlooking Aso,” which is a stylish name that reads “Let’s play bridge”(Aso Bo Bashi) in Japanese. Can you follow this pun?
Arched stone bridge created by God (driving 1 hour and half to Tsujun Bridge from Takachiho Gorge)
A detour for luxary lunch at Mizutama Cafe takes 15 minutes from the route 218 for Tsujun Bridge without lost yourself. you can look over Mt.Aso far away. The sign post of circular water diversion system is found a little befor Tsujun Bridge. Futamata Bridge and ruins of Yuen railway are located almost at the same place 30minutes after Tsujun Bridge.
3rd day(Christ)
Hidden Christians in the Amakusa Islands are not hidden (2 hours and half from Kumamoto City to Sakitsu town registered as World Heritage)
The Amakusa Islands are connected by bridges like a string of beads, so it takes quite a while to reach the deepest part. When traveling to the Amakusa Islands, we recommend staying overnight on one of the islands the day before. It takes 50 minutes from Amakusa city downtown to the part of World Heritage “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.”
Are dolphins messengers of God? (It takes less than one hour from Sakitsu villeage without any detours)
Elephant Rock, Tits Rock and the statue of Liberty are located between the World Heritage Sakitsu Village and the dolphin watching site. Road signs for these detours are easy to miss. After dolphin watching, it is possible to reach Kumamoto Airport on the same day.
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