Oita] Kyushu Sacred Places Tour! A five-day, four-night guide to popular anime attractions! Enjoy the hot springs in the "Attack on Titan" mecca!

Enjoy the hot springs at the mecca of Attack on Titan!

On the fourth day of our Around Kyushu Sacred Land Tour, we will travel to Oita Prefecture to visit the sacred land of "Attack on Titan".

Attack on Titan is a manga created by Japanese manga artist Toshi Kedayama.
It has been published in 34 volumes from 2009 to 2021, and an animated version has been released in 4 seasons since 2013, taking the world by storm.
The popularity of the manga series is evidenced by the fact that its cumulative worldwide circulation has reached 140 million copies (as of November 2023).

Hinata City in Oita Prefecture is the hometown of "Attack on Titan" author Toshi Kedayama.
Attack of the Giants depicts a world in which all living areas are enclosed by fortified walls in order to escape the threat of giants.
The enclosed environment reflects the author's desire to get out of his hometown (now Oyama-cho, Nitta City), which was “surrounded by mountains like a high wall,” when he was a young boy. The author himself said, “Oyama-cho is the stage for the story of ”Attack on Titan'."
Hinata City has launched a project called “Attack on Hinata”, and a series of collaborations are underway, including the erection of a bronze statue and the construction of a museum.
Let's kick off our tour of the Holy Land below!

The route for this Holy Land tour is as follows!

1. Bronze statue of Sergeant Leavell
2. “Attack of the Giants in HITA Museum.”
3. Big Mountain Dam
4. Former Fung Hou Mori Customs Depot
5. Nine Mossy Arts
6. Hachiman Zomon Shrine

Bronze statue of Sgt. Leavell in front of Nitta Station.“

Take the “Yufuin no Mori” train from Hakata Station and get off at Hinata Station, where you will see the bronze statue of Sgt. Neville!
Nitta Station also has a large number of posters and display boards using the original manga artwork, and the entire station is filled with the atmosphere of "Attack on Titan," giving you the feeling that you've come to a sacred place and that you're in the right mood.

Many visitors will pose for a photo with “Give your heart!” and take pictures of them!

“The ”Attack of the Giants in HITA Museum" showcases many coveted treasures for fans!

After a 20-minute ride from Nitta Station, you can get off at the roadside station “Mizube no Sato Oyama” and arrive at the “Attack of the Giants in Hita Museum” located inside the station.
The museum is not very large, but it is worth seeing the works created by Mr. Kedayama when he was a teenager living in Nitta City, as well as valuable original manuscripts of "Attack on Titan" and other works that are hard to find elsewhere.

The visual impact of the Super Giant!

The museum also offers many limited edition products.

“Attack of the Giants in HITA Museum.”
Address:
4106 Nishi-Oyama, Oyama-cho, Hita-shi, Oita 877-0201, Japan
Opening hours:
Weekdays 9:30-16:00 / Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 9:30-17:00
※Based on the opening hours of the roadside station Mizube no Sato Oyama.
Fixed days off: irregular
Parking: Yes (free)
Tickets:
・Adults (over 18 years old): 500 yen (tax included)
Children (under 18 years old): Free of charge
Traffic conduits:
20 minutes by car from Hinata IC; 19 minutes by car from Hinata Station
Official Website: https://shingeki-hita.com/spot/017.html

Beyond the Wall ...... Re-enactment of the “Place of Beginnings”/Dashan Dam

After visiting the “Attack of the Giants in Hita Museum”, we will continue to Oyama Dam, which is a 10-minute drive away.
Next to Oyama Dam are several bronze statues that recreate the “starting point” of the Giant's first assault on the city.
Here, the bronze statues of Alan, Mikasa and Amin look up at the majestic wall of the Oyama Dam, recreating the scene from the manga where the three look up at the wall of Maria.
When taking photos, it is recommended that you stand on the back of the bronze statue rather than from the front!
It's because you can really feel the world of Attack on Titan from this point of view.

As part of the 10th anniversary of the “Attack on Titans” series, volunteers in Nitta City have joined forces to raise funds through crowdfunding to build character statues, starting with "Attack on Titans bronze statues of Alan, Mikasa, and Armin as teenagers".

Big Mountain Dam
Address:
2008-1 Nishi Oyama, Oyama-cho, Hita-shi, Oita 877-0201, Japan
Opening hours:
8:30-17:00
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (The lower plaza is open all year round)
Parking: Yes (free)

The Journey of Suzume／Former Toyo Gomori Customs Depot

Have you watched Journey to Suzumiya yet? It's an animated movie directed by Shinkaijo and has been released in 2022.
The movie is about Suzuha's adventure to find and close the “doors” that are the source of the disaster scattered in the ruins all over Japan.
The “fan-shaped hangar” featured in the film is a fan-shaped hangar centered on a turntable (used to change the direction of the locomotive).
In the old Toyo Gomori Hangar Park, you can see the only remaining “fan-shaped hangar” in Kyushu, which is extremely rare.
It was also the setting for "Suzuka's Journey"!
Recreates the world and the door depicted in The Journey of Suzume.
It's a little sturdy, but still opens and closes, so you can experience what it's like to be a shut-in.

It was also used as the setting for the music video for the song “HAPPY PARTY TRAIN” by the idol group "Aqours" in the animated movie "LoveLive! It was also used as the setting for the music video for the song "HAPPY PARTY TRAIN" by the idol group "Aqours" in the animated movie "LoveLive!

Former Fung Hou Mori Customs Depot
Address:
36-15 Iwamuro, Kuju-cho, Kuju-gun, Oita Prefecture 879-4412
Fixed rest days: None
Traffic conduits:
Approx. 5 minutes on foot from JR Toyogomori Station.

Expression of Totoro's World in Moss/Jiuzhong Moss Art

Take a 20-minute drive along the former National Highway 387 from the old Fung Hau Mori Customs Depot, and you'll see what looks like something on the roadside fence. ......

Ahh! It's a Totoro!

Is this the Totoro Bus?

“The Kuji Moss Art is an event planned by the Kuji Town Tourism Association to depict the world of chinchillas in moss, with the aim of ”utilizing new tourism resources to help revitalize the town“. Although some parts may not be clear, it is still well worth seeing.
In addition, it is said that moss art can be seen around Sujiyu Onsen and Ryumon Tunnel.

Nine Mossy Arts
Address:
879-4723 Machida, Kuju-machi, Kyushu-gun, Oita Prefecture

Travel to Beppu, a hot spring resort, and stay at “Takeshi & Tsubaki Inn - Hana Beppu” for relaxation.

After a day of touring sacred sites, we will head to Beppu, a famous hot spring resort in Oita Prefecture, to relax and unwind!
There are many accommodations in Beppu, and we recommend “Hana Beppu” where we had a very satisfactory stay.

Hana Beppu is a 6-minute walk from Beppu Station.
The entire floor is covered with tatami mats and bamboo flooring, so you can relax barefoot.
The hostel offers Japanese-style yukata rentals (fee charged) and a matcha tea corner (open daily until 17:00), so guests can enjoy the “Japanese” atmosphere.

Drinks and freshly baked snacks are available in the lobby. It's great!
You can also enjoy the hot spring!

The guest rooms are named after camellias such as “Maiden” and “Chidori” and have a very elegant atmosphere!
You can also relax with a special yuzu welcome drink made by the head chef in the room's freezer.

This Japanese-style twin room is called “Yoriko” and has tatami mats, so you can walk around with bare feet!

The welcome drink special is a Q-tip jelly drink made with yuzu!
Also available is an original yuzu preserves with a perfect balance of sweetness and slight bitterness.
Yuzu preserves are also available at the Hanabeifu store and can be purchased as a souvenir.

Each dish and even the tableware of the dinner was carefully selected to be not only delicious but also very pleasing to the eye!

Breakfast on the second day was semi-buffet style.
The main course is rice in a pot, and vegetables and pickles can be enjoyed any way you like.

Beppu Onsen - “Takeshi & Tsubaki Royal Resort - Hana Beppu”
Address: 16-50 Yu-cho, Ueda, Beppu-shi, Oita-ken, 874-0908, Japan
TEL.0977-22-0049 (Business hours 10:00-19:00)
Official Website: https://www.hanabeppu.jp/

Conveniently located, the JR Kyushu Blossom Hotel Oita offers a great view from the rooftop open-air room.

Below is another hotel, the Oita JR Kyushu Blossom Hotel, which has direct access to JR Oita Station.

We would like to recommend “City Spa Sky” at the Oita JR Kyushu Blossom Hotel!

“The ”City Spa Sky" is a spa facility of this hotel, which is free of charge for guests.
Located 80 meters above the ground, the top floor features one of Japan's finest open-air baths and indoor natural hot springs, where you can relax and soak while enjoying the view.

Voila! This is an unrivaled view! In addition to the night view, you can also see Beppu Bay during the day.
(※Photography is normally prohibited in this area, but special permission has been granted for this shoot!)

There are bathing suits available for female guests, so you don't have to worry about getting naked.
Oita Prefecture is famous for its natural hot springs, and only here can you enjoy the moisturizing effects of natural hot springs. The hot spring water has a “skin-beautifying” effect that makes your skin smooth and delicate after soaking.

Double standard room. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, allowing the body and mind to fully relax.

The interiors are beautifully decorated with a high class feel.
It is said that the interior design was created by Mr. Ruiji Mitooka, who is also the designer of Japan's first luxury train “Seven Stars in Kyushu”.

Entrance to the breakfast hall.
Breakfast is buffet style and you can enjoy a variety of Oita's delicacies from the mountains and the sea.

Oita JR Kyushu Blossom Hotel
Address: 1-14 Tocho, Oita-shi, Oita-ken 870-0831, Japan
TEL.097-578-8719
Official Website: https://www.jrk-hotels.co.jp/Oita/

CITY SPA Sky
Address: 1-14 Tocho, Oita-shi, Oita-ken 870-0831, Japan
TEL:097-513-2641
Official Website: https://www.jroitacity.jp/cityspatenku/
Business Hours:
■11:00-24:00 (Admission closed at 23:30 / Spa service closed at 23:00)
※The reception hours for lodging guests are from 14:00 to 24:00.
(No admission at 23:30 / No admission at 23:00 for spa services)
■6:00-9:30 p.m. (Admission closed at 9:00 p.m.)
※Morning bath is available only for guests staying at the hotel.

Conquer the three Zaomon Shrines! The sacred site of "Onigiri no Kabuto" / Hachiman Zoumen Shrine

The next day, we went to Hachiman Zomon Shrine.
It takes about 20 minutes by car from Beppu Station.
Hachiman Zaomon Shrine, like “Gougou Zaomon Shrine” and “Homan Zaomon Shrine” we visited in Fukuoka, is known as a sacred site of “Onigiri no Kabuto” because it has "Zaomon" in its name, the same name as Zaomon Tanjiro, the main character of "Onigiri no Kabuto". The shrine is also known as the sacred site of "Onigiri no Kabuto" because it has the word "Zoumen" in its name and shares the same name as the main character of "Onigiri no Kabuto", Zoumen Toujirou.
Ghostbusters is a manga created by Japanese manga artist Gokutoge Houshi Haru, and has been adapted into an animation that has become a worldwide sensation.

These are the only three shrines in Japan that are named after Zaomon.
Now that you're here, you must conquer all the Zoumen Shrines!

At Hachiman Zomon Shrine, be sure to look out for this water dragon enshrined in the ceiling of the main hall below!
This is reminiscent of the move “Water Breath, Pick Up Type, Sengoku Flow” used by Charcoal Jirou in Onikyuken no Kabuto.

A lot of content related to Ghostbusters is also drawn on the Eimas (Wish Cards).

You can enjoy a breathtaking view of Beppu Bay!

Hachiman Zomon Shrine
Address:
1900 Oaza-uchi Zao, Beppu-shi, Oita-ken, 874-0011, Japan
Parking lot:
60 vehicles (free)
Traffic conduits:
By Car
15 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station (9 km)
・3 minutes by car from JR Kamegawa Station, 20 minutes on foot (2 km)
Taking the bus
5-minute walk from Yaguro Entrance Bus Stop on Oita Kotsu Route 87 Sekinoe Dondi Loop Line (0.3km)
Get off at the bus stop “Uchizo Entrance” and walk for 10 minutes (0.5km).

From Beppu Station to Hakata Station⇒To Fukuoka Airport

The five-day, four-night tour of the Holy Land is coming to an end.
From JR Beppu Station, we took the express train “Sonic Nichirin” to Hakata Station.
After about two hours, you will arrive at Hakata Station.
From Hakata Station, you can take the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line to Fukuoka Airport after two stops.

During our four-day, five-night trip, we visited the anime mecca of Kyushu, but there were still many places we didn't get to visit .......
Kyushu is truly a mecca for anime and manga.
Are there any favorites among them?
Take a look at our tips for traveling to Kyushu!

 

Kagoshima] Kyushu Holy Land Tour! A five-day, four-night guide to popular anime attractions! Seed Island Pilgrimage!
https://joyjapan.tokyo/area/huuzm1ko/

◆The second day of the tour [Kumamoto]: A tour around the Kyushu Holy Land! A five-day, four-night guide to popular anime attractions! A Pilgrimage to Natsume's Friend's Book and One Piece's King of Thieves
https://joyjapan.tokyo/area/xbyqur8t/

◆Day 3 [Fukuoka]: A tour around Kyushu's sacred sites! A five-day, four-night guide to popular anime attractions! Immersive visit to the sacred sites of "Onimusha no Kabuto"!
https://joyjapan.tokyo/area/wnxnfwiv/