Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
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Hazama Megane Bridge is a stone arch bridge still in use, built by a local stonemason, Isuke.
About 90% of the stone arch bridges (spectacles bridges) remaining in Japan are found in Kyushu. Among them, Kumamoto Prefecture has the greatest number of stone bridges built during the Edo period. Behind this is a group of highly skilled stonemasons called the "Taneyama Stonemasons" from Taneyama Village, Yatsushiro County (now Toyo Town, Yatsushiro City).
Due to the high cost of construction of Hasama Bridge over the Hasama River, it was undertaken by a local man named Isuke from Nishisakoma. Isuke was believed to have been extremely skilled, and the bridge, built in 1829 during the Bunsei 12th year of the Edo period, has supported people's lives for 190 years. The bridge connected different regions and enriched the lives of the people who lived there. The construction of the stone bridge was also the result of a great deal of effort, with masons working hard to gather together, some even investing their own money. The beauty of the antique look, the R-shaped design and the view of the mountain stream are magnificent, but it is unfortunate that there are so few tourists.
It is an indispensable bridge that allows both people and vehicles to pass through, and it also leaves us with beautiful scenery to look at today.
I would like to see the stone bridge that was built during the Edo period and is still in use!
Go up along the Hazama River towards Ryumon Dam. On the way, you will come across the remains of the Confucius Hall and the Nyubagatama Tomb, which were introduced in the history article.
There is a waterfall nearby and the scenery is wonderful. Kikuchi is truly blessed with nature. If you lived here, you might not even notice it, as it blends in so unobtrusively.
You can also go down to the riverbank. Looking up at the bridge from below.
This is also a very everyday scene. From a traveler's perspective, it seems strange to see something so commonly used in the daily life of the locals.
Staggered stones. This is a series of arched stone bridge built in the late Edo period by Isuke, a local stonemason.
When you actually cross the bridge, it's just a normal paved bridge, but it's a bit nerve-wracking when you cross it.
The view is beautiful. There is no parking.
It is a very quiet valley with clear water. An abundant amount of water flows into the Kikuchi River.
There was an old shrine very close to Sakuma Bridge.
Sugawara Shrine is a major shrine in Kikuchi, and can be found in every region.
Is this the plum crest of Sugawara no Michizane? There was no guide sign.
This is Higashisakoma Sugawara Shrine, a solemn shrine built along the river.
The onigawara tiles and sculptures of this shrine are very impressive. In addition, the old atmosphere of the shrine grounds is wonderful.
Two old-looking paintings.
Daikoku-sama can be seen between the ginkgo trees. The red roof tiles create a nice atmosphere.
Finally, I said my respects to the onigawara once more before heading home. This shrine can be viewed together with the Hasama Bridge.
Walk along Tsukiji Ide, an irrigation canal that is said to have been dug by Kato Kiyomasa.
Starting from the Kikuchi Grand Hotel where I was staying, I walked along Tsukiji Ide until it joins the Kikuchi River. Tsukiji Ide is said to have been built during the time of Kato Kiyomasa, and is an artificial river that was used as an irrigation channel to irrigate the fields, as well as for daily life and fire prevention. The purity of its water is guaranteed, and it is also famous as a habitat for fireflies.
At the point where it joins the Kikuchi River, a first-class river, there is a stone bridge with four stone girders that was built in the Taisho era. The stone girders are sharp like the bow of a ship, and were designed to avoid water resistance in the high-flowing river.
Next, we will take a stroll around "Tsukiji Ide". On the way, we will visit "Tofukuji Temple", where the 12th generation of the Kikuchi clan is enshrined.
An irrigation canal built during the time of Kato Kiyomasa. It's so clean it's hard to believe it flows through a place where people live.
It is also famous as a habitat for fireflies. Local residents apparently clean up the area.
Tofukuji Temple has a long staircase. Once you reach the top, you can look out over the tranquil fields.
Along the way, we also saw a cave tomb! It's on the side of the road so you can take a good look at it. Apparently it was also used as an air raid shelter during the war.
Along the way, the path alongside the river disappears and we have to go in a slight detour and continue further.
The confluence with the Kikuchi River. There was a magnificent stone bridge! I wonder if the four piers indicate a large amount of water.
Mossy balustrade.
It flows into the Kikuchi River, a first-class river.
Head to the roadside station with the big melon! Enjoy soft serve ice cream with plenty of melon pulp at "Shichijo Melon Dome."
There were 18 castles (Kikuchi 18 outer castles) surrounding Moriyama Castle, where the Kikuchi clan was based. There is a place called "Shichijo" (Seven Castles) because seven of them were located there. This area is famous for its rice and melon production. Melons are grown in different varieties throughout the year, and are sorted by sugar content and size at the roadside station "Shichijo Melon Dome" before being shipped.
At the Melon Dome, you can enjoy freshly delivered melons, as well as juice and soft serve ice cream made from those melons. The soft serve ice cream served here is a very popular dessert that was awarded first place in the "Roadside Station Soft Serve Ice Cream General Election" in Kumamoto Prefecture.
We're heading to Shichijo, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, a famous melon producing area. Our goal is to see a large melon sculpture.
There was no bus that was on a good time, so I thought I'd walk, but it ended up being more like a short excursion (lol). I mistook the octopus for a melon...
I saw some melons in the distance. It was about 4km one way.
So cute! We have arrived at the roadside station "Shichijo Melon Dome."
The large hemispherical melon is the landmark.
Vegetables are cheap! There are also Jerusalem artichokes, a local specialty on par with melons.
Melon bread with melon juice.
Even melon curry!
I thought there wouldn't be any melons available since it's not the season, but thanks to greenhouse cultivation and selective breeding, they can be eaten all year round.
Apparently sorting also takes place at the roadside station, and only the freshly sorted sweets are boxed and sold here.
The winner of the top spot in Kumamoto for roadside station soft serve ice cream is Toride Farm, which mixes milk ice cream with fruit pulp.
Naturally sweet and refreshing! It's rare to experience a fruity texture like this. It's definitely worth trying.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
