Famous Pilgrimage Routes & Religious Sites in Ōita, Ōita, Japan

Ōita, Japan, Ōita, Unique & Niche Travel Pages, Famous Pilgrimage Routes & Religious Sites

Famous Pilgrimage Routes & Religious Sites in Ōita, Ōita, Japan

1. Yufuin Taishokan, Yufu

A popular temple built in 1754, known for its beautiful autumn leaves and spiritual atmosphere.
  • Historical Significance: One of the oldest temples in Yufu, offering a glimpse into Japan's religious past.
  • Autumn Leaves: Famous for its stunning autumn foliage, attracting many visitors during fall.
  • Spiritual Atmosphere: A place of peace and tranquility, perfect for meditation and spiritual reflection.

2. Mt. Kuju Pilgrimage Route, Kujū

A 33-temple route stretching across Mt. Kuju, offering breathtaking views and spiritual experiences.
  • Natural Beauty: The scenic mountainous route offers a unique blend of nature and spirituality.
  • 33 Temples: Each temple along the route has its own history and unique features.
  • Challenging Hike: The pilgrimage is a physically demanding hike, suitable for adventurous travelers.

3. Kumamoto-gongen Shrine, Bungo-Ōno

An ancient shrine dedicated to the protection of the region, known for its magnificent torii gate.
  • Historical Significance: One of the oldest and most important shrines in Ōita Prefecture.
  • Torii Gate: Its massive torii gate is one of the largest and most beautiful in Japan.
  • Festival Atmosphere: The shrine comes alive during festivals, offering a lively and colorful experience.

4. Bishamonten-do Hall, Beppu

A stunning hall dedicated to the guardian deity Bishamonten, known for its intricate wooden carvings.
  • Wooden Carvings: The hall is adorned with beautiful and intricate wood carvings.
  • Guardian Deity: A place to seek the protection of Bishamonten, the guardian deity of Buddhism.
  • Historical Artifact: An important cultural artifact, showcasing traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

5. Hell Valley, Beppu

A unique hot spring area known for its sulfurous odors and striking landscapes, with a spiritual twist.
  • Natural Wonder: A natural wonder where hot springs meet the ocean, creating unique geysers.
  • Sulfurous Odor: The strong sulfur smell is a reminder of the area's geothermal activity.
  • Spiritual Significance: Believed to have healing properties and connected to local folklore.

6. Beppu Shrine, Beppu

A beautiful shrine overlooking Beppu Bay, known for its stunning views and spiritual powers.
  • Scenic Location: Located on a hill, offering breathtaking views of the bay.
  • Spiritual Powers: Believed to have spiritual powers and offer protection to the city.
  • Annual Festival: The shrine comes alive during its annual festival, offering a lively and colorful experience.

7. Ōyama-dera Temple, Taketa

A temple built into the mountainside, known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views.
  • Mountainous Setting: Built into the side of a mountain, offering panoramic views of the valley.
  • Tranquil Atmosphere: A peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
  • Historical Significance: An important historical site, dating back over 1300 years.

8. Usa Jingu Shrine, Usa

One of the most important shrines in Japan, known for its grand architecture and spiritual significance.
  • Spiritual Significance: A major spiritual center, attracting pilgrims from all over Japan.
  • Grand Architecture: The main hall is one of the largest and most impressive in Japan.
  • Annual Festival: The shrine comes alive during its annual festival, offering a lively and colorful experience.

9. Kawasaki Shrine, Beppu

A beautiful shrine known for its stunning gardens and spiritual atmosphere.
  • Beautiful Gardens: The gardens are a sight to behold, especially during cherry blossom season.
  • Spiritual Atmosphere: A peaceful place for meditation and spiritual reflection.
  • Historical Significance: An important cultural artifact, showcasing traditional Japanese architecture.

10. Takachiho-no-Mine Cave, Takachiho

A sacred cave believed to be the home of the god Susanoo, known for its spiritual significance and stunning natural beauty.
  • Sacred Cave: Believed to be the home of the Shinto deity Susanoo.
  • Natural Beauty: The cave's stalactites and stalagmites create a beautiful natural wonder.
  • Spiritual Significance: A place of spiritual importance for the local Amano-Yasakani-no-Mikoto shrine.

11. Kunisaki Hachiman Shrine, Kunisaki

A network of over 1000 shrines dedicated to the god Hachiman, known for its historical significance and spiritual power.
  • Historical Significance: One of Japan's largest networks of Hachiman shrines.
  • Spiritual Power: Believed to have powerful spiritual energy and offer protection to the region.
  • Scenic Location: Located in a beautiful rural setting, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

12. Yamadera, Taketa

A mountain shrine with over 1000 steps, known for its spiritual significance and stunning views.
  • Spiritual Significance: A place of spiritual importance for the local community.
  • Scenic Location: Located atop a mountain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Physical Challenge: A challenging hike with over 1000 steps to reach the shrine.

13. Takachiho Amano-Iwato Cave, Takachiho

A sacred cave believed to be the entrance to the underworld, known for its spiritual significance and stunning natural beauty.
  • Sacred Cave: Believed to be the entrance to the underworld.
  • Natural Beauty: The cave's stalactites and stalagmites create a beautiful natural wonder.
  • Spiritual Significance: A place of spiritual importance for the local Amano-Yasakani-no-Mikoto shrine.

14. Nemurumaki Shrine, Yufu

A small but significant shrine known for its spiritual power and beautiful natural surroundings.
  • Spiritual Power: Believed to have powerful spiritual energy.
  • Beautiful Natural Surroundings: Located in a beautiful rural setting, surrounded by forests and mountains.
  • Historical Significance: An important cultural artifact, showcasing traditional Japanese architecture.

15. Beppu-jinja Shrine, Beppu

A beautiful shrine dedicated to the goddess Beppu-gongen, known for its spiritual power and stunning natural surroundings.
  • Spiritual Power: Believed to have powerful spiritual energy.
  • Beautiful Natural Surroundings: Located in a beautiful rural setting, surrounded by forests and mountains.
  • Historical Significance: An important cultural artifact, showcasing traditional Japanese architecture.