About Hachimenzan
Hachimenzan is a mountain that can be said to be the symbol of Nakatsu.
It is called Hachimenzan because it looks almost the same from all four directions. It is also called Yayama (arrow mountain) because in the past there were many arrow bamboos growing on this mountain.
In ancient times, it was considered a mountain of ascetic practices that attracted the faith of mountain Buddhism, and there are many famous sites associated with it.
The observation deck is located at an altitude of 659.4m, and offers a panoramic view of the Buzen Sea, Nakatsu city, Buzen city, Kunisaki Peninsula, and even Himeshima Island.
It is called Hachimenzan because it looks almost the same from all four directions. It is also called Yayama (arrow mountain) because in the past there were many arrow bamboos growing on this mountain.
In ancient times, it was considered a mountain of ascetic practices that attracted the faith of mountain Buddhism, and there are many famous sites associated with it.
The observation deck is located at an altitude of 659.4m, and offers a panoramic view of the Buzen Sea, Nakatsu city, Buzen city, Kunisaki Peninsula, and even Himeshima Island.
Highlights of Hachimenzan
Yanayama Gongen Stone Stage
It is an ancient rock shrine of megalithic faith, and it is said that in the past, Kagura dance was offered to Yanayama Gongen on this stone stage for bountiful harvests, safety of the household, and protection from disease and evil. It is 19.3m long, 13m wide, 57.3m in circumference, has an area of 250㎡, and is covered with 152 tatami mats. It is the largest stone stage in Japan.
It is an ancient rock shrine of megalithic faith, and it is said that in the past, Kagura dance was offered to Yanayama Gongen on this stone stage for bountiful harvests, safety of the household, and protection from disease and evil. It is 19.3m long, 13m wide, 57.3m in circumference, has an area of 250㎡, and is covered with 152 tatami mats. It is the largest stone stage in Japan.
Wayo Stone
According to the "Hachimenzan Engi," Wayoseki is "a huge stone that was placed here when Hachiman Daibosatsu returned from China in the first year of the Taiho era (701) and reconciled with the monk Horen who was at Mt. Hiko after arguing with him over the gift of a jewel," and is said to be a great god made of stone.
According to the "Hachimenzan Engi," Wayoseki is "a huge stone that was placed here when Hachiman Daibosatsu returned from China in the first year of the Taiho era (701) and reconciled with the monk Horen who was at Mt. Hiko after arguing with him over the gift of a jewel," and is said to be a great god made of stone.
Golden Eagle Stone and Dog Stone
Among the megaliths at Yanayama Shrine, the one shaped like a bird's beak is the Hawk Stone, and the one next to it, located at a lower level, is the Dog Stone. It is said to be a megalith related to the Wayo Stone, and it is said that this megalith was created after Hachiman Daibosatsu transformed into a golden hawk, summoned a golden dog and flew back to Hachimenyama, where he made peace with Horen.
Among the megaliths at Yanayama Shrine, the one shaped like a bird's beak is the Hawk Stone, and the one next to it, located at a lower level, is the Dog Stone. It is said to be a megalith related to the Wayo Stone, and it is said that this megalith was created after Hachiman Daibosatsu transformed into a golden hawk, summoned a golden dog and flew back to Hachimenyama, where he made peace with Horen.
Hachimenzan Large Pond
It is a reservoir for agricultural water. There is a legend called the "Dragon Pearl," in which when Kaimon Zenji prayed for rain, a dragon with the face of a beautiful woman bestowed a pearl and made it rain.
It is a reservoir for agricultural water. There is a legend called the "Dragon Pearl," in which when Kaimon Zenji prayed for rain, a dragon with the face of a beautiful woman bestowed a pearl and made it rain.
Yanayama Shrine
Yanayama Shrine enshrines Empress Jingu, Emperor Ojin, and Hime-no-Okami. The sacred objects are the giant rocks (Hawk Stone and Dog Stone) to the left of the shrine, and Hachimenzan Oike Pond to the southwest of the shrine. According to ancient records, the shrine was founded by a group of monks in 701, and on the left side of the approach to the shrine, there is a square stupa that was erected to commemorate the founding of the temple. It is the oldest such structure in Oita Prefecture.
Yanayama Shrine enshrines Empress Jingu, Emperor Ojin, and Hime-no-Okami. The sacred objects are the giant rocks (Hawk Stone and Dog Stone) to the left of the shrine, and Hachimenzan Oike Pond to the southwest of the shrine. According to ancient records, the shrine was founded by a group of monks in 701, and on the left side of the approach to the shrine, there is a square stupa that was erected to commemorate the founding of the temple. It is the oldest such structure in Oita Prefecture.
Shugendo Falls
Hachimenzan has been considered a sacred mountain in ancient faith, and flourished as a training ground for ascetic practices, leading to the waterfall being also known as Shugendo Falls, which flows violently when the water volume increases with rain. In the past, the river that forms Shugendo Falls was called Harai River. This is because people would use the water of this river to perform misogi (wash and purify the body) when worshiping gods and Buddhas. It is said that mountain ascetics would undergo rigorous training by being showered by this waterfall or sitting on the frozen basin at the bottom of the falls, even in the freezing cold, in order to develop strong mental strength.
Hachimenzan has been considered a sacred mountain in ancient faith, and flourished as a training ground for ascetic practices, leading to the waterfall being also known as Shugendo Falls, which flows violently when the water volume increases with rain. In the past, the river that forms Shugendo Falls was called Harai River. This is because people would use the water of this river to perform misogi (wash and purify the body) when worshiping gods and Buddhas. It is said that mountain ascetics would undergo rigorous training by being showered by this waterfall or sitting on the frozen basin at the bottom of the falls, even in the freezing cold, in order to develop strong mental strength.
Nirvana statue at Jingoji Temple
The first chief priest of Jingoji Temple, Kakuzui Shinohara, made a vow in October 1966 to carve the image of the Buddha at his death (head to the north, face to the west, legs together) into a huge rock that has lain dormant for tens of thousands of years on the sacred mountain of Hachimen-san, and it was completed on May 28, 1972. It was made so that people who worship it can remember the virtues of the Buddha, to comfort the spirits of the Japanese and American soldiers enshrined in the Peace Park, and also with a wish for world peace. The sculptors are Kunihiro Sekiho and Shuho, father and son (Fukuoka City). With a total length of 7. 88m and a height of 1. 4m, it is one of the largest nirvana statues carved into natural stone in Western Japan. Jingoji Temple is the 21st of the eighty-eight Kyushu Pilgrimage Temples.
The first chief priest of Jingoji Temple, Kakuzui Shinohara, made a vow in October 1966 to carve the image of the Buddha at his death (head to the north, face to the west, legs together) into a huge rock that has lain dormant for tens of thousands of years on the sacred mountain of Hachimen-san, and it was completed on May 28, 1972. It was made so that people who worship it can remember the virtues of the Buddha, to comfort the spirits of the Japanese and American soldiers enshrined in the Peace Park, and also with a wish for world peace. The sculptors are Kunihiro Sekiho and Shuho, father and son (Fukuoka City). With a total length of 7. 88m and a height of 1. 4m, it is one of the largest nirvana statues carved into natural stone in Western Japan. Jingoji Temple is the 21st of the eighty-eight Kyushu Pilgrimage Temples.
Hachimenzan Peace Park
The park was established on May 7, 1970 to pray for the souls of the Japanese and American war dead and for world peace. A memorial gathering is held every year on May 3.
The Permanent Peace Tower in the park is where the "Flame of Peace" from Hoshino Village, Fukuoka Prefecture, was split off and will burn forever in 1993. The park also features a Boy of Peace Statue, which was created to express the wish for "friendship between Japan and the United States and world peace."
The park was established on May 7, 1970 to pray for the souls of the Japanese and American war dead and for world peace. A memorial gathering is held every year on May 3.
The Permanent Peace Tower in the park is where the "Flame of Peace" from Hoshino Village, Fukuoka Prefecture, was split off and will burn forever in 1993. The park also features a Boy of Peace Statue, which was created to express the wish for "friendship between Japan and the United States and world peace."
Shoke no Hana (Summit of Mt. Hachimen)
The summit of Mt. Hachimen (altitude 659m) is called "Shouke no Hana."
There is a legend that long ago, when the god of Komo Hachiman was slaying a demon that was repeatedly causing trouble, the "shouke" (a basket made from bamboo strips) that the demon was using got caught on the top of the mountain, and so the mountain was given the name "Shouke no Hana" (Shouke's Nose).
The summit is about 25 minutes from the trailhead. From the four observation points along the trail, you can see Yabakei, Mt. Yufu, the Kunisaki Peninsula, and more.
The summit of Mt. Hachimen (altitude 659m) is called "Shouke no Hana."
There is a legend that long ago, when the god of Komo Hachiman was slaying a demon that was repeatedly causing trouble, the "shouke" (a basket made from bamboo strips) that the demon was using got caught on the top of the mountain, and so the mountain was given the name "Shouke no Hana" (Shouke's Nose).
The summit is about 25 minutes from the trailhead. From the four observation points along the trail, you can see Yabakei, Mt. Yufu, the Kunisaki Peninsula, and more.
Details
Address | Sanko Taguchi, Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture, 871-0103 |
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TEL | 0979-43-2050 (Nakatsu City Sanko Branch Office Regional Promotion Division) |
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