2024年的過年假期，我們來到了離台灣2個小時飛行時間的日本九州。這一次我們從福岡直接開車出發，先拜訪了熊本城。然後往人吉市去探訪日本最南端國寶- 青井阿蘇神社，還有就在附近的城堡機關鐘。 還會介紹一個比較少人會去拜訪的自然景觀景點- 蝦野高原。 那麼 準備好了嗎~ 我們要出發囉!
During the 2024 New Year holiday, we traveled to Kyushu, Japan, which is just a two-hour flight from Taiwan. This time, we started our journey by driving directly from Fukuoka and first visited Kumamoto Castle. Then we headed to Hitoyoshi City to explore Japan’s southernmost national treasure, the Aoi Aso Shrine, and the nearby castle clock tower. We will also introduce a lesser-known natural scenic spot, the Ebino Plateau. So, are you ready? Let’s go!
0:00 序章 Introduction
0:25 熊本- 熊本城 Kumamoto – Kumamoto Castle
1:54 人吉- 青井阿蘇神社 Hitoyoshi – Aoi Aso Shrine
2:52 人吉- 城堡機關鐘 Hitoyoshi – Castle Clock Tower
4:11 宮崎- 蝦野高原 Miyazaki – Ebino Plateau
The distance from Taiwan to Kyushu is 1400 kilometers. It only takes about a two-hour flight to get there. Before your seat even gets warm, hmm. We have arrived! Hello, we are now at Fukuoka Airport. Now let’s go pick up the car~ That’s it, see you later, goodbye! The first stop of the journey We arrived in Kumamoto, as it was already afternoon when we got there, so we didn’t have much time. Therefore, we directly visited the most famous feature here, Kumamoto Castle is one of Japan’s three major castles. which was built by the famous warlord Kato Kiyomasa, during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. It can be said that Kumamoto Castle was severely damaged. Until our visit this time. Although the castle tower has been restored But as you walk through the entire city area, You can still find many collapsed city walls Even the scattered stones have not been restored yet It’s really a pity. this corridor under Kumamoto Castle in front of me, Known as the Dark Passage That’s a very rare construction method and design. After coming up from the passage First, you will see a very large ginkgo tree. This is also why Kumamoto Castle is also known as Ginkgo Castle Kumamoto Castle has been rebuilt internally Designed like many exhibition halls. Overall, it doesn’t have that ancient and nostalgic feeling So we ended up spending more time outside Appreciate this beautiful Tenshukaku from different angles, According to the official explanation, It is expected to be possible to complete the entire park restoration by 2038, And hopefully we can see a different side of Kumamoto Castle then, The next day We continue our journey to Hitoyoshi City in the south, Let’s go see a national treasure at the southernmost tip of Japan. Aso Shrine has a history of 1200 years. The main shrine was probably built about 400 years ago The shrine itself is not very large. If you’re just passing through quickly, We have more than enough time, maybe just half an hour left. For us shrine enthusiasts, This shrine is full of intricate details everywhere. These faded decorations under the building’s gate, Above are stories of the Twenty-four Filial Exemplars. The combination of oni masks and mythical beasts on both sides. Even throughout Japan, this design is rarely seen. My favorite is still the thatched roof house resembling historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Naturally exuding a strong sense of history, If you, like me, are a fan of historical sites, So I highly recommend you to come here! The castle’s clock tower in front of Hitoyoshi train station Every hour This mechanism will activate, with 17 hidden puppets inside, will sway freely to the music at that moment. It’s a very cute little attraction. And it’s not just a single side to see, It offers a view from all four sides Later, I took a look at the dolls here Actually, he is the lord at the very top And on the second floor below, there are two people drinking. And on the other side, someone is taking a bath. And at the bottom is the festival. The funniest part for me is Because everyone wants to see clearly what these 4 sides are performing you’ll see a group of people circling around the clock tower like this. Left Hitoyoshi-shi city We started driving into the forest you can feel the scenery unfolding before your eyes, bit by bit. Awakening from the winter slumber. Ebino-shi is a place. Surrounded by mountains, the basin You can see it from the parking lot. covered with white snow all over the mountain, The uniquely shaped trees make it feel really unlike Japan, there are many mountain peaks with volcanic activities here, Like Karakuni-dake, Shinmoe Dake, and Takachiho no mine The Ebino-shi we visited this time. Only at the far left are these three high mountain lakes. These three alpine lakes used to be walkable in a circular route. But because Mt. Huangshan is more active now, So far, we have walked to the Bù Dòng Pool, You’ll have to backtrack the same way. The first direction It says Karakuni-dake Trail’ here. This is the natural road around the lake. Um, The key point is this trail. There are no toilets inside once you enter, oh! So if you need to use the restroom, make sure to go before we start. OK, Let’s go! We are currently at the Ebino-shi We are going to walk on this nature trail later. The main thing is to admire this place. It has three high mountain ponds, These three high mountain lakes If we look back Then, we can walk in a circular loop. Shortly after entering, you can see a stream flowing over it. We’ve already been dyed milk tea color. Soon we arrive at the first viewpoint platform. Here you can see this is Karakuni-dake This rounder one here And next to it, the one emitting smoke is This is the Sulfur Mountain Here we are at the Shirogane Pond The roads along the way are actually very well-maintained. The steps are a bit steep. However, I think it should be visited by people who are regularly active None of these are major issues. Here, there is also a more professional atmosphere, It’s a hiking trail. But today we are just taking this simple little loop, more like a leisure stroll. A healthy and relaxing itinerary, right? Just walked this section. Let’s take a walk. I feel like I’ve seen this forest somewhere before. Upon reflection, when I climbed in Pingtung before, The fir tree on the top of Mt. Beidawu is also tall. It resembles a certain kind. Just a single road up Then a flat (thicket) looks like a serving plate, It looks quite similar. There is a fork in the road here. Here along this path is the two Lakes Observation Deck. If you’re not careful, If you keep going straight, you’ll miss it. I will head towards the White Purple Lake, Oh. Already faintly visible. We can see the one in front of us, Here’s the observation deck. This is when we were at the information center, The counter recommended us his favorite place. So we will go and explore it later, Then to the Erhu Lookout in sequence, You can see the White and Purple Pond on the far left, the Rokkannon Imperial Pond. And finally, on the far right is Mount Han’gugdae, You can see more clearly here, with smoke billowing out. Sulfur Mountain, Observing the scenery before us, If not mentioned, Do you think this place looks like Japan? The volcanic landscape emitting white smoke. With the snow as a backdrop, the grandeur of the entire mountain range is highlighted. And then… Here, we also met a cute Japanese couple who initiated a conversation with us. Walking like us probably took about 2 hours. It’s a very comfortable journey. If there’s a chance. You can also come here to take a walk and explore, So that’s the content of this episode. This is Wei Yu~ Let’s meet in the next part of the video. Goodbye!