The gardens of Senzaifarm in Usa feature wisteria and roses; Yokkaichi has its own distinctive highlights, including cave tombs and temple history. The two garden sites differ in their plants and design.
Gardens in Usa: Wisteria and Roses
In Usa, Senzaifarm’s wisteria garden features a 2,400-tsubo trellis supporting 250 wisteria plants. Senzaifarm’s rose garden in Usa also covers 5,000 square meters; around 2,500 roses adorn it when they bloom.
Cave Tombs and Temples in Yokkaichi
The Yokkaichi-Yokoana group is a collective name for two groups of cave tombs: Ichigite comprises at least 80 tombs, and Kagayama at least 70. They are estimated to date from the second half of the 6th century through the 7th century. Three tombs stand out for their patterns painted in red: one belongs to the Ichigite group and two to the Kagayama group. The patterns suggest that influential people were buried there. This distinction separates the size of the group as a whole from the special features of individual tombs.
The Buddhist temples also offer a tangible point of comparison. Higashi and Nishi Honganji Betsuin stand side by side as branch temples of different Buddhist schools; such an arrangement is considered unusual nationwide. The magnificent gate at Higashi Honganji Yokkaichi Betsuin has been preserved and was designated a tangible cultural property of Ōita Prefecture in 2005.
Another historical connection leads back to Edo: in 1743, the dispute over Shōkatsu-ji Temple was decided there before the magistrate of temples and shrines, Ōoka Echizen-no-kami Tadasuke. The Tokugawa shogunate then confiscated the temple; it was later handed over to Higashi Honganji and became one of its branch temples. Otorikoshi is observed annually from December 11 to 16. Check the dates locally before planning your trip around them.
Seasonal Park Scenery and How to Get There
Hibiki-yama Park looks different with each season: during cherry blossom season, it offers impressive scenery, while around 3,000 hydrangeas adorn the park during the rainy season. To get there, take an Ōita Kōtsū Yokkaichi Line bus from Yanagigaura Station to the Hōkyōji stop. From there, it is about a 33-minute walk or an 8-minute taxi ride. Check current local transport details before travelling, as route information may change.
Another distinctive feature of Yokkaichi is Jūhōzan Daijō-in. A figure described as an oni mummy is displayed in a shrine there; this description does not mean it is a verified human mummy. The temple is reached by a steep staircase with 108 steps. The number of steps and the steep climb are practical details to consider when planning your visit.
A 2023 article also described an activity in which visitors can paint unglazed figurines, such as zodiac animals or beckoning cats, and take the finished piece home. According to the article, the activity was available by advance reservation only; check current availability beforehand. Yokkaichi dolls were made as good-luck charms from the Meiji period until around the 1920s of the Shōwa period. In this way, the activity connects a hands-on experience with the history of these figures.
Discover more destinations: Beppu, Saiki, Ōita, Hita, Kusu District, Bungo-Takada, Tsukumi, Taketa
For the broader travel overview: Ōita Prefecture.
