The Old Pilgrimage Road/Kashiwazakagoe Road

Nearby sightseeing spots

• 1

  Yanagimizu Daishi and Kashiwazaka Rest Area

  When Priest Kobo Daishi visited here, he wanted to quench the thirst of travelers. So he tapped his cane on the Yanagi (willow) tree root and sweet water gushed out. The tree was thus named "Yanagimizu" (Yanagi tree of water). The water quenched the thirst of travelers and watered the fields of Kashiwa. Amid forest trees where sunlight peeks through, there is a small stone statue of a priest. No one knows when it was made or by whom, but the dignified face and quality of the statue suggest that is it a high-ranking priest. Kashiwazaka Rest Area has a gazebo, benches, and restrooms provided by local people.

• 2

  Shimizu Daishi

  One summer when a young maiden came here on a pilgrimage, she got so thirsty that she collapsed. That's when Priest Kobo Daishi appeared and shook the young maiden to wake her up. He also told her to dig the roots of the nearby sacred anise tree. Then he disappeared. When the young maiden regained consciousness and dug up the sacred anise tree roots, pure water gushed out. She drank the water and got well. Every year on July 3rd of the lunar calendar until 1940, sumo wrestlers from the nearby village would perform sumo as an offering with many people watching.

• 3

  Settai-matsu

  One day, a person with a bad leg was riding on a wheeled cart pulled by about 50 people with a large rope. When the cart reached this place, there was a sudden gust of wind and the person thought the large pine tree curled like a snake would smash the wheeled cart. So he got out and ran away from the cart. That's when his bad leg was cured. In the old days on Priest Kobo Daishi's memorial day, local people served tea and confections here to pilgrims. However, the famous Daimatsu pine tree was cut down in 1955. It is now only a decayed stump.

• 4

  Tsuwanaoku Lookout

  At an elevation of 480 m, this lookout has panoramic views of Uwakai Sea. On sunny days, you can see as far as Cape Sada and the smokestacks of steel factories in Saganoseki, Oita Prefecture and Mizunokojima Lighthouse. Visitors here on sunny days express amazement at the views. The Yura Peninsula can be seen extending above your line of sight. Yura Peninsula is regarded as small, but its dynamic shape is impressive. There's even a legend of a serpent living there and you might even be convinced. Tsuwana is a plant called "Tsuwabuki" (Japanese silverleaf).

• 5

  Chado Daishi and Chado Rest Area

  After walking up the steep slope of Kashiwazaka, there is gradual downward slope toward Uwajima Tsushima-cho. You will soon see a small village. There is small shrine called "Chado" housing a wooden statue of Priest Kobo Daishi. On the festival day of the 21st, local villagers continually offer incense to the Chado. The Chado Rest Area has a gazebo and benches.