2025 Kusu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

"Bungomori Locomotive Shed" Today, we would like to introduce the Bungomori Locomotive Shed in Oita Prefecture 🚂 It is currently the only remaining roundhouse in Kyushu, and is also home to the Bungomori Locomotive Shed Museum. It was built as a hangar for the steam locomotives that ran on the former JNR Kyudai Line, and you can see the steam locomotives up close, and there is also a museum designed by Eiji Mitooka. The engine shed and turntable are registered as tangible cultural properties of the country, so it's definitely worth a visit😊 *·̩͙ ☽︎︎.*·̩͙☽︎︎.*·̩͙*·̩͙☽︎︎.*·̩͙☽︎︎.*·̩͙☽︎︎ⓘⓝⓕⓞ☽︎︎.*·̩͙☽︎︎.*·̩͙☽︎︎.*·̩͙☽︎︎.*·̩͙ 🚂 Bungomori Engine Shed 📌242-7 Hoashi, Kusu-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture 🚃5 minutes walk from JR Bungomori Station 𖥧 𖥧 𖧧 ˒˒𖡼.𖤣𖥧 ⠜ 𖥧 𖥧 𖧧˒˒. ⓣⓗⓐⓝⓚ ⓨⓞⓤ 𖥧 𖥧 #OitaTourism #BungoMoriArchive #tripDomesticTravel

Not just hot springs! Oita has beautiful waterfalls and mountains that are perfect for summer drives! This time, we will introduce three tourist spots in Oita✒️ 1. Ryusho Falls Address: Tairyu, Shonai-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture Recommended points: Two beautiful waterfalls with a drop of 25m that appear after passing through a small tunnel Evaluation: The waterfalls can be seen in just a 5-minute walk, and are easy to access, making them a great place to take a break during a drive! 2. Mt. Yufu Address: Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture Recommended points: Mt. Yufu, with an altitude of 1,583m, is so famous for its beautiful scenery that it is called "Bungo Fuji" Evaluation: It is easily accessible by car, and you can enjoy the spectacular view while driving 3. Former Bungomori Locomotive Shed Address: 36-15 Iwamuro, Kusu-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita Recommended points: Built as a hangar for the steam locomotives that run on the former JNR Kyudai Line, it is the only remaining modern industrial heritage site in Kyushu as a round-shaped locomotive shed Evaluation: The collaboration of the sparrow door locks is famous! It also has doors and chairs that appeared in the movie, so it is recommended for movie fans #Japan Travel Strategy

Although this is a JR Kyushu Pass trip, catching the limited Yufuin no Mori or Limited Express Yufu trains, which run only a few times a day, requires investing at least half a day. Instead, I opted for a high-speed bus, traveling from Beppu Kannawa-guchi to a highway IC near Bungomori Station in just 50 minutes. I visited Bungomori Station because the nearby Bungomori Roundhouse is rumored to be a key setting in Suzume's Door-Locking. Despite my tight schedule, I managed to complete an itinerary combining high-speed buses and local trains, covering Beppu-Bungomori-Yufuin-Oita. Located between Hita and Yufuin, I carefully planned to spend about 4 hours on this trip, staying overnight in Oita on the first day. It was a space that felt sufficient to experience the essence of Suzume. Thank you.

#EnjoyJapan Jion Falls is located on the border between Amanase Town, Hita City and Kuju Town, Kuju County. It is a two-tiered waterfall with a total drop of about 30m, with the upper tier at 20m and the lower tier at 10m. When viewed from a position close to the parking lot, it looks like a single tier, but when you realize that it is two tiers, you will be captivated by its power. Just looking at it makes you feel the negative ions, which has a great healing effect. At the roadside station in the parking lot, you can buy local vegetables and Oita souvenirs, and the clean toilets are also a plus. You can enjoy sightseeing in comfort. Jion Falls 618 Yamaura, Kuju Town / 1546-2 Sugikawachi, Amanase Town, Hita City Kuju Town Tourism Association

📝 Overview The "Bungomori Roundhouse" in Kusu Town, Oita Prefecture, is a facility that was once used as a garage for steam locomotives (SLs) that ran on the JNR Kyudai Main Line. The roundhouse, built in 1934, is the only one still standing in Kyushu, and is also designated as a national registered tangible cultural property. It is now maintained as the "Bungomori Roundhouse Park," and also houses the "Roundhouse Museum," which displays materials related to SLs and railways, making it a must-see spot for railway fans. ✨ Recommended points * Valuable roundhouse The greatest attraction of the former Bungomori Roundhouse is, without a doubt, its roundhouse. It is the only roundhouse still standing in Kyushu, and its historical value is extremely high. * SL display In the park, the SL "C58 steam locomotive," which once ran on the Kyudai Main Line, is preserved in a static state. You can see the SL up close, and you will be overwhelmed by its power. * Locomotive Museum At the Locomotive Museum, various materials related to steam locomotives and railways are on display. You can learn about the history and mechanisms of railways. 👀Pay attention to this! * Turntable Next to the locomotive, there is a turntable for turning the steam locomotive. You can learn how the steam locomotive actually turned. * Railway Diorama At the Locomotive Museum, there is a railway diorama that recreates the Kyudai Main Line. Even if you are not a railway fan, you can enjoy the elaborately made diorama. * Events At Bungomori Locomotive Park, various events are held, such as events where steam locomotive whistles are sounded and railway model exhibitions. 🚗Sightseeing Information The following tourist spots are located around the former Bungomori Locomotive. * Mikazuki Falls: A beautiful waterfall located right next to Arashiyama Taki Shrine. You can walk to the base of the waterfall and feel its power up close. * Roadside Station Dowa no Sato Kusu: A roadside station selling Kusu town's local specialties and souvenirs. There is also a restaurant and cafe, making it a convenient place to eat and take a break. * Kirikabuyama: A symbolic mountain of Kusu town, from the summit you can see the entire Kusu Basin. Recommended for hiking and picnics. * Bungomori Locomotive Shed: A locomotive shed remaining on the site of the former JNR Bungomori Station, it is a must-see spot for railway enthusiasts. Steam locomotives and diesel locomotives are on display. * Fukayabakei: This area is considered to have particularly beautiful scenery even within Yabakei. The scenery created by the oddly shaped rocks and cliffs is breathtaking. These tourist spots can be accessed by car from the former Bungomori Locomotive Shed. ℹ️Information * Address: 36-15 Iwamuro, Kusu-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture * Access: * About 3 minutes on foot from JR Bungomori Station * About 3 minutes by car from Kusu IC on the Oita Expressway * Opening hours: * Bungomori Engine Shed Park: Open 24 hours * Engine Shed Museum: 10:00-16:00 (Closed on Mondays, and the following day if a public holiday falls on a Monday) * Fees: * Bungomori Engine Shed Park: Free * Engine Shed Museum: 100 yen 🖋️Summary The former Bungomori Engine Shed is a recommended spot not only for railway fans, but also for those interested in history and culture. Be sure to visit and experience the history of steam locomotives. We are currently providing information on tourist spots all over the country! Please check out our other articles! #DomesticTravelStrategy #DomesticTravel

📝 Overview Arashiyamataki Shrine, located in Kusu Town, Oita Prefecture, is a shrine that is said to have the benefit of matchmaking and the fulfillment of wishes. The shrine is based on a tragic love story between a princess who was exiled from Kyoto during the Heian period and a flute master, and is enshrined near the waterfall where the princess and her maids jumped into the water. The grounds are lush and tranquil, soothing visitors. Recently, the "flower water fountain" where flowers are floated in the water fountain has become a hot topic, making it a popular spot visited by many people. ✨ Recommended points * Benefits of matchmaking Arashiyamataki Shrine is said to have the benefit of matchmaking. Many people visit in hopes of finding a good match, and it is especially popular with women. * Beautiful nature The shrine is surrounded by lush nature. There are many things to see, such as the waterfall that flows through the grounds and large trees that are hundreds of years old. * Flower water fountain Recently, the water fountain at Arashiyamataki Shrine has been beautifully decorated with seasonal flowers. This "flower water fountain" has become a hot topic on social media, and many people come to take photos of it. 👀Pay attention to this! * A tragic love story There is a sad love story at Arashiyama Taki Shrine. If you visit the shrine while thinking about this story, you will feel even more moved. * Crescent Moon Falls Right next to the shrine is a beautiful waterfall called "Crescent Moon Falls." You can bathe in negative ions while listening to the sound of the waterfall. * Woodcutter's Hall On the approach to the shrine, there is a building called "Woodcutter's Hall." This building was built to worship an old woodcutter who felt responsible after learning of the princess's drowning and drowned himself. 🚗Sightseeing information in the area The following sightseeing spots are located near Arashiyama Taki Shrine. * Crescent Moon Falls: A beautiful waterfall located right next to Arashiyama Taki Shrine. You can walk to the base of the waterfall and feel its power up close. * Roadside Station Dowa no Sato Kusu: A roadside station selling Kusu town's specialties and souvenirs. There is also a restaurant and cafe, making it a convenient place to eat and take a break. * Kirikabuyama: A symbolic mountain of Kusu town, from the summit you can see the entire Kusu Basin. Recommended for hiking and picnics. * Bungomori Locomotive Shed: A locomotive shed remaining on the site of the former JNR Bungomori Station, it is a must-see spot for railway enthusiasts. Steam locomotives and diesel locomotives are on display. * Fukayabakei: This area is considered to have particularly beautiful scenery in Yabakei. The scenery, created by the oddly shaped rocks and cliffs, is breathtaking. These tourist spots can be accessed by car from Arashiyama Takijinja Shrine. ℹ️Information * Address: 6392 Tobata, Kusu-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture * Access: * About 10 minutes by car from JR Bungomori Station * About 15 minutes by car from Kusu IC * Opening hours: None * Fee: Free 🖋️Summary Arashiyama Taki Shrine is an attractive shrine where you can enjoy not only the blessings of matchmaking, but also beautiful nature and flower water fountains. Please visit it once and be healed. We are providing information on tourist spots all over the country! Please check out our other articles! #Domestic travel strategy #Domestic travel

This is a very comfortable hotel that has been open for about two years. Not only is the front desk service very good, but the rooms and bathrooms are also very clean and relaxing. The room I stayed in this time was a simple twin room with a double bed and a small double bed, so I slept very comfortably. The mattress is the type that doesn't have much springiness, and the quilt is thick and has a cover, which I personally like very much. The bathroom in the unit is normal and not too small. Simple Japanese breakfast, drinks include coffee, tea, and other choices. The hotel has a public hot spring ♨️, and the faint sulfur scent enhances the hot spring feeling. I think 400 yen is reasonable. Lockers with keys cost 30 yen, so don't forget your change! Near the hotel, there are convenience stores, rice shops, fried chicken shops, izakayas, etc. that are popular among locals. A little further away, there are supermarkets, Joyful bakery recommended by children in Jiuzhu Town, and many more attractive places. Please enjoy the charm of Nan Town! The hotel also has parking spaces, so those who drive don’t have to worry! Even if you get off at Bungo-mori Station, it is still a 10-minute walk to the hotel.

National Route 210, the bustling Takeyabu Kuju Main Branch is always crowded with cars and motorcycles in the wide parking lot. This is a local chicken specialty store that sells local chicken sashimi, tataki, fried chicken, yakitori, kushikatsu, and more. There is an eat-in space, so you can enjoy local chicken tataki and freshly made yakitori while looking at the idyllic rural scenery. I'm happy that the cost performance is good and the portions are large. They provide ice packs for the sashimi tataki, but I always bring ice packs with me when I take it home. Please try the fresh and delicious local chicken. #OnsenPrefectureOita #Kuju

#DomesticTravelRecord After spending the night in Kuju, we went to Arashiyamataki Shrine and Mikazuki Falls. Mikazuki Falls was named after the crescent-shaped curve of the waterfall, and it has a drop of 10 meters. The sad story of how Emperor Daigo's granddaughter, Komatsu Join, who had been pursuing Kiyohara Masataka, jumped into the water with her maid after falling in love with him despite their differences in status, remains at Mikazuki Falls. At Arashiyamataki Shrine, located right next to the falls, Komatsu Join and 11 maids are enshrined. The flower water basin is decorated with colorful flowers. There are also autumn leaves in the water, and I was entranced by its beauty for a while. If I come to Kuju again, I would like to stop by the flower water basin. ▪️Arashiyamataki Shrine 116 Yamaura, Kuju-machi, Kuju-gun, Oita Prefecture #OitaPrefecture #OnsenPrefectureOita #Kuju

#DomesticTravelRecord After spending the night in Kusu, the next day we went to Bungomori Engine Shed Park, which is near JR Bungomori Station. It seems to be a place known as a sacred place for the movie "Suzume no Tojimari". Bungomori Engine Shed was built as a hangar for steam locomotives. At its peak, it is said that there were 21 locomotives. When the railway was converted to diesel, the locomotives were abolished and the engine shed also ceased its role. It is the only remaining roundhouse engine shed in Kyushu. The engine shed and the turntable are also registered tangible cultural properties of the country and are modern industrial heritage sites. During the war, bullet holes remain on the exterior wall, which was machine-gunned by US fighter planes, and even our generation, who do not know the war, was able to learn about the tragic situation. A mini train runs every Sunday from March to November, so it is a place that children can enjoy. ▪️Bungomori Locomotive Park [Address] 242-7 Iwamuro, Kusu-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture [Access] About 5 minutes on foot from Bungomori Station on the Kyudai Main Line #Oita Prefecture #Oita Tourism #Kusu #Bungomori Locomotive

A popular restaurant that is always crowded with customers [Jidori no Takeyabu] A local chicken specialty store that cuts local chicken on the spot✨ A generous serving of fresh fillets is 1000 yen. You can buy raw local chicken tataki for about 600 yen. It's all for cooking, but the firm pink meat is amazing⭐️ You can buy freshly fried chicken by the piece. The hot fried local chicken is crispy yet juicy✨ They also grill yakitori in front of the store😋 It's a takeaway shop, but it's different from your average butcher shop🐔 It's located on National Route 210, so it's easy to get there by rental car, and the parking lot is spacious🚗 📍Location: 1209-1 Tobata, Kuju-machi, Kuju-gun, Oita Prefecture 🕰️Business hours: 9:00-19:30 Wednesday #Kuju #Kuju gourmet #Oita trip #0 yen trip November

#CarTrip During the drive from Beppu to Hita I saw the 30m Jion Falls so I stopped by. Right in front of Jion Falls is Soba Restaurant Suigetsu They use the underground water of Jion Falls to make 100% buckwheat soba. The Hitachi Aki soba, which is milled in-house, was thinly sliced, smooth and fragrant, and very delicious. Most of the seats face the waterfall, so the location was also great. The fact that they use Ontayaki pottery from Hita was also a big plus for me, who loves tableware. ▪️Soba Restaurant Suigetsu 618 Yamaura, Kuju-cho, Kuju-gun, Oita Prefecture 0973-73-8929 11:00-15:00 Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays #OnsenPrefectureOita #OitaGourmet #KujuGourmet

During this year's long weekend, I suddenly decided to go to Yufuin. Since I was there, I looked for other places to stop by and found the Former Bungomori Locomotive Shed, which was the model for the sparrow's door lock, so I went there. The door that the sparrow opened and the chair are still there, so you can take a photo like the one in the poster. Also, since I couldn't get a hotel in Yufuin, I booked a hotel in Yuhira Onsen, a little further away, and this place was also a sacred place for the sparrow's door lock! The feeling of an abandoned inn and lanterns is just right. Of course, I went to Yufuin, but it was incredibly crowded because it was a long weekend. #0yentravelautumn

#FuriTabi #Oita #OitaTrip #OitaGourmet #Kuju #KujuGourmet #Tonkatsu #TonkatsuSetMeal #KatsuRon "Tonkatsu Ri-on" 📍Address: 7859 Tobata, Kuju-machi, Kuju-gun, Oita Prefecture, 879-4331 🕰️Business hours 11:30-14:30 15:30-19:30 A tonkatsu restaurant in Kuju, Oita Prefecture, that is always crowded with customers. The owner, who trained in Tokyo for 20 years, opened a restaurant in Kuju using ingredients from Oita Prefecture and became very popular. The tonkatsu has soft meat inside and crispy batter on the outside, and is fried to perfection. The katsu bowl is topped with plenty of shiso, grated daikon, and special sauce, and both are really delicious. This restaurant is located on a mountain road in Kusu, so it seems to be very popular with touring customers! This is a restaurant that you should definitely stop by and try during a long drive.

"Jion Falls" A beautiful two-tiered waterfall about 30 meters high, located on the border between Hita City and Kuju Town! Below the dragon sculpture, there is a heartwarming legend about a small dragon and a monk connected to Jion Falls! Next to the waterfall, you can enjoy the Soba Restaurant Suigetsu and Roadside Station Jion Falls Kusu to your heart's content! You might even be able to spot a dragon in the waterfall! ----------------------------Jion Falls 📍: 1546-2 Sugikawachi, Amagase-cho, Hita-shi, Oita Prefecture / 618 Yamaura, Kuju-cho, Kuju-gun🚗: Approximately 15 minutes by car from Amagase Takatsuka IC on the Oita Expressway🅿️: Yes🚃: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Sugikawachi Station on the JR Kyudai Main Line---------------------------- #Oita #Hita #Kuju #OitaTrip #OitaSightseeing #NatureAndStunningViews

"Noda Onsen" A hot spring where you can enjoy 12 types of private baths, including cave baths and barrel baths! Among them, the "Keyaki no Yu" is an interesting bath that you can rarely experience, where you bathe under a huge tree that is 200 years old! The bath is replaced by a coin-operated system, so it's nice to be able to fill it with fresh water every time! I wonder how that big tree got into the room... ♨️Water quality: Simple hot spring ---Noda Onsen 📍: 2461-3 Yamada, Kusu-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture🚗: Approximately 7 minutes by car from Kusu IC on the Oita Expressway🅿️: Available🚃: Approximately 5 minutes by taxi from Bungomori Station on the JR Kyudai Main Line🕐: 10:00-22:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) 23:00💤: Open all year round------- #Oita #Kusu #OitaTrip #OitaOnsen #PrivateBath #NodaOnsen #TravelWithMe

『Former Bungomori Locomotive Shed』 In front of Bungomori Station on the JR Kyudai Main Line, you'll find a locomotive shed and steam locomotives that supported the times! ~Bungomori Locomotive Shed~The Bungomori Locomotive Shed was completed in 1934 when the entire JNR Kyudai Line was opened, and played an important role as a storage base for steam locomotives running on the Kyudai Line and a supply base for water and fuel. These roundhouses could be seen all over the country during the heyday of steam locomotives, but as time passed and railways became smokeless, they were abolished one after another, and Bungomori Locomotive Shed finished its role in 1971, the year after steam locomotives disappeared from the Kyudai Line. The remaining locomotive shed and turntable are registered as modern industrial heritage and national tangible cultural properties, and it is the only remaining roundhouse in Kyushu that can be seen here! ~~ ... ------------------------------------ Old Bungomori Locomotive Shed 📍: 36-15 Iwamuro, Kuju-machi, Kuju-gun, Oita Prefecture🚗: Approximately 5 minutes by car from Kuju IC on the Oita Expressway🅿️: Yes🚃: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Bungomori Station on the JR Kyudai Main Line🕐:-------------------------------- #Oita #Kuju #OitaTrip #OitaSightseeing #OldBungomoriLocomotiveShed #Locomotive #TravelwithMe

Arashiyamataki Shrine 116 Yamaura, Kuju-cho, Kuju-gun, Oita 0973-73-7602 Parking available The wife of the shrine always carefully prepares the flower water basin. They use cute and colorful flowers such as dahlias, roses, and daisies. History During the Heian period, Emperor Daigo's granddaughter, Komatsu Join, and Kiyohara Masataka Shonagon, a master flute player, fell in love in Kyoto, but due to differences in their social status, Masataka was sent to Bungo Province. Komatsu Join came all the way to Kuju with eleven maids, longing for Masataka. When he finally reached the edge of the Mikazuki Falls, he met an old woodcutter and asked him about it. He learned that Masataka had already married a princess from the Yano clan and was living in a mansion in Nagano. He realized that there was no point in asking him about it now, so he hung the hat and clothes he had used on his journey on a pine tree branch, composed a death poem that read, "If I knew that the bamboo flute's rhythm was a single day, even if I blow it, it would not flutter in the wind." He then joined hands with his eleven maids and threw himself into the bottom of the waterfall. Masataka was shocked to hear this story, and searched for the villagers and Fuchise, and pulled out the remains of Komatsu Join and the eleven maids. He built a graveyard by the Mikazuki Falls and a shrine to appease their spirits. #OitaTourism #Kuju #OitaTrip #OitaTourism #FlowerWaterPlace #WaterPlace #KyushuTourism

We recommend getting off at Bungomori Station and visiting the engine shed. If you have children with you, you can experience a mini train just for them, with small rails laid out. Completed in 1934 as an inspection and hangar for the steam locomotives (SL) that ran on the former JNR Kyudai Line, it is the only engine shed in Kyushu that remains in its original form, and the only one in the country other than the Umekoji Engine Shed in Kyoto, which was built in 2014. Please be sure to visit.

#JapanTravel #OitaTravel #Beppu On the way to Beppu Onsen, the flower of Fukuoka travel~~♡ It is a Japanese rest area smaller than Korea, but there are so many things to see and it is healing~~♡ Location: 498 Tobata, Kusu, Kusu District, Oita 879-4331 Japan