The Hiji Tour of Shrines and Temples Shrouded in History and Silence

It takes 10 minutes by car from Hayami Interchange, or 15 minutes on foot from Bungo Toyo-oka Station.

Experience Morning Zen and Chazen tea service in a Buddhist temple.
It was built in 1346, in the early Muromachi period. Take time to reflect while surrounded by the silence of Gyateiji Temple, boasting a history of 671 years.

Experience zen meditation in the fresh air of the morning, or by candlelight at night.
Please try Chazen with both morning and evening zen meditations.
It is also recommended for beginners.

This temple is where a succession of feudal lords were laid to rest.
Here is the family temple of the Hiji Domain.
In addition to the largest Sago palm tree in Japan, brought back by the second lord of the domain, there is a landscaped garden said to have been created by Sesshu, as well as the Hiji treasure trove.

Look for traces of history connected to the Toyotomi family.
With a history of over 1,000 years, Hiji Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine is a venerable shrine revered by generations of the Hiji Domain.

Traces of the Hiji Domain's relationship with the Toyotomi family are left throughout the precincts.
The adjacent Renge-ji is a prayer temple associated with the lord of the domain. The statue of Senju Kannon there is a must-see.

Go a little further to visit a national treasure!
This is the main shrine of Hachiman, a Shinto god of protection. With over 40,000 affiliated shrines spread throughout the country, Usa Jingu is a stately shrine standing among vast precincts.
It takes about 1 hour by car to go to Usa Jingu. This is said to be the birthplace of portable shrines, as well as the culture of syncretizing Shinto with Buddhism.
The main shrine building is a symbolic example of shrine architecture. Called "Hachiman-zukuri", it is a national treasure.