Except for the previous visit to Kunisaki Peninsula, I have not had an opportunity to visit eastern to southern part of Kyushu Island, but I have wished to visit Takachiho and Kirishima. On the other hand, when I visited the Kunisaki, I went to Usuki in Oita Prefecture to see the stone Buddha. I did not go to Usuki’s town center at that time. A friend of mine had business with a company in Usuki and told me that it was quite a nice town. It sounded attractive including an inn introduced, so I decided to visit Usuki again. Since Kirishima was too far away from Usuki, I planned to visit Takachiho.
Access from Tokyo to Takachiho was a little difficult. I found that Miyazaki Airport or Kumamoto Airport would be the gateway. Since Takachiho was located in Miyazaki Prefecture, I initially thought Miyazaki Airport would be a good choice. However, if I pick Miyazaki Airport, I would have to take JR train to Nobeoka and then change to a local bus. On the other hand, there was a direct bus from Kumamoto Airport, although it made one trip per day. Despite my insomnia, I could get up early in the morning when I travel, I took the first flight to Kumamoto.
It was in late March, but temperature was low because of a cold wave until the day before and the high altitude of the town. I left the luggage at the hotel and started to visit shrines.
Takachiho was a town with many shrines, but I could not read their names in Kanji. I was surprised by my lack of education, but it was too late since I was in Takachiho already. There were boards at the shrines explaining the history or mythology of them, but they were beyond my understanding. I was surprised by my lack of education, but it was too late since I was in Takachiho already. Still, I could read a map, so there was no problem for sightseeing and photography. That was the only hope I had at that time.
After returning to the hotel for checking-in, I went to see Takachiho Gorge in the evening. It was after the boat riding time, there were a few people at the Gorge and it was very mysterious.
A gorge is a deep valley. It was close from the hotel to Takachiho Gorge on the map, but there were tremendous differences in elevation. I was surprised by my inability to read a map, but it was too late since I was at the Gorge already. The uphill on the way back was too tough.
Would there be hope for me?
The next morning, I had booked a boat ride. I went down Takachiho Gorge again and took photos of the Gorge before the boat ride. I could not recall when was the last time I paddled a boat. By and large, the people paddling in Takachiho Gorge were similar, I could see some hopes for me.
I did not have the energy to walk back uphill again, I called for a taxi and headed for Iwato Shrine. This would save the waiting time for the local bus as well.
Iwato Shrine is famous for its Amanoyasukawara. I should have worshiped the shrine first before heading to take photos, but I went straight to Amanoyasukawara before the crowds began to gather. It was already crowded, and although there was a momentary break, I did not have much time to take photos without interruptions. I guess there were still only a few hopes for me.
On the last day of my stay in Takachiho, I woke up before 7:00 a.m. and called a taxi and went to Amanoyasukawara again. I thought it would be less crowded in the morning. Although it was a Saturday morning, there were only a few visitors. I was able to take my time taking photos.
There was full hope at the end.