[Construction resumed]
Construction of the Aono Cave will resume between December 8, 2025 and the end of March 2026 (planned).
●South side
Pedestrians: Partially allowed (Edo period hand-dug remains are also allowed)
・Car: ×
North side
・Pedestrians: No (also no for Edo period hand-dug sites)
・Car: ×
Therefore, it is not possible to pass through between the north and south sides.
Regular buses will stop at a temporary bus stop on the detour route, National Route 212, on the opposite bank.
Public parking and public toilets are available on the south side.
Public parking and public toilets are available on the south side.
For more details, please see below.
・Simple diagram:here
Source of information: Nakatsu City website Regarding the passable section of the city road Hidanakajima Line (Aonodomon)
Source of information: Nakatsu City website Regarding the passable section of the city road Hidanakajima Line (Aonodomon)
Notice of Aonodomon (City Road Hidanakajima Line) Road Closure(New)
・Local bus: Daikou Kitabu Bus Notice of detour operation due to the closure of "Aonodomon"
・Local bus: Daikou Kitabu Bus Notice of detour operation due to the closure of "Aonodomon"
Zenkai's hand-carved tunnel
During the Edo period, the construction of the Arasei Weir blocked the waters of the Yamakuni River, causing the water level to rise in the Hida and Ao areas. This caused people to walk along a very dangerous path built on the high cliffs of Kyoshuho, using iron chains as lifelines.
The monk Zenkai, who stopped off at Yabakei during a pilgrimage around the country, was saddened to see people and horses losing their lives on this dangerous road, so in Kyoho 20 (1735) he began carving out the rock walls himself.
Zenkai raised funds by begging for money, and together with hired stonemasons he continued digging using only chisels and hammers. After more than 30 years, in 1764, the first year of the Meiwa era, they completed the tunnel, which was 342m long (of which the tunnel section was 144m long).
A large memorial service was held in Kan'en 3 (1750) to commemorate the completion of the 1st stage of construction, and thereafter, tolls of 4 mon for people and 8 mon for horses and cattle were collected to cover the costs of construction, making this road Japan's first toll road.
The flea marks are still visible today
The Ao-no-domon Cave underwent major renovations between 1906 and 40, and its original form has been largely lost.
At the current Aonodomon, some parts of the tunnel and skylights still retain the hand-dug appearance of the time.
Details
Address | 871-0202 Oita Prefecture, Nakatsu City, Hon'yabakei-cho, Sogi |
Opening
hours | ー |
Closed days | ー |
TEL | 0979-52-2211 (Nakatsu City Hon'yabakei Branch Office Regional Promotion Division) |
Parking | Free public parking available Approximately 85 standard-sized cars (including light vehicles and handicapped parking) Large car 8 units |
Transportation access | ●Local bus ・From Nakatsu Station, take the bus bound for "Morizane Onsen" for approximately 25 minutes. ・The nearest bus stop is "Aonodomon" (Daiko Hokubu Bus) ● Car ・From Oita/Beppu area/Higashi Kyushu Expressway Approximately 15 minutes from Nakatsu IC ・From Kokura/Yukuhashi: Approx. 25 minutes from Buzen IC on the Higashi Kyushu Expressway ・From Fukuoka or Nagasaki: Approximately 50 minutes from Hita IC on the Oita Expressway ・From Yufuin: Approximately 40 minutes from Kusu IC on the Oita Expressway *The height limit inside the Aonodomon Cave is 3.6m. |
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