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Kunisaki

Gyokoe

Cycling

  • Price Per Person (incl. tax)

    ¥132,000

  • Time Required

    1night, 2days

  • Number of participants（Min./Max.）

    2 / 8

  • Available

    Year-Round

  • Destination

    Kyushu / Oita

  • Guiding Languages

    English / Japanese

On e-bikes, reenact the journey of the pilgrims
of the Hachiman spiritual faith and trace
the history of the special Gyokoe ritual of Usa Jingu Shrine.

Cycling tour
on the Kunisaki Peninsula
on a revived 1,200-year-old
ceremonial path.

ABOUT

What’s Gyokoe ?

Gyokoe is a special Shinto ritual of Usa Jingu Shrine,
the head shrine of over 40,000 Hachiman shrines throughout Japan.
For more than 1,200 years, this event was performed by pilgrims who journeyed to eight Hachiman shrines on the Kunisaki Peninsula to replace an object of worship (goshintai) housed in Usa Jingu Shrine.

The Gyokoe event started around 700 CE and was carried out at six-year intervals, for over 900 years.

Gyokoe involves a sacred object crafted from makomo,
a type of wild rice plant imbued with spiritual power.
Called the Komo Makura, it was housed at Usa Jingu Shrine where it was highly revered.
The Komo Makura was replaced with a new version every six years to symbolize the rebirth of the Hachiman deity.
During the Gyokoe observance,
a procession of 1,000 to 2,000 pilgrims transported the new version of the Koma Makura,
while worshipping at eight intermediary shrines along the way.
It is said that the Gyokoe celebration was so large and grandiose,
it involved the entire community and helped stimulate the local economy.

As the Usa Jingu Shrine celebrates its 1,300th anniversary,
we have planned an e-bike cycling tour that follows the path of the old shrine festival and touches on the history of the Hachiman faith and the spiritual culture of the region.
Cyclists can fancy themselves modern pilgrims in this adventure that allows them to visit sacred spots,
interact with locals, and even taste the traditional food that was served during the procession.

TOUR ROUTE

HIGHLIGHT

  • One of Japan's largest "power spots”A special opportunity to visit Usa Jingu Shrine and eight important shrines related to it.
    Experience its sacred power as the Japanese do.

  • History and Nature of Usa and Kunisaki PeninsulaEnjoy the region's cultural and natural heritage, including giant sacred trees,
    rural landscapes that remain unchanged form a thousand years ago, unique rock formations of Kunisaki,
    and ancient stone Buddhas.

  • Japanese Spirituality and MindsetGain an understanding of Japan’s spiritual culture and the open-minded philosophy of shinbutsu-shūgō (the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism) and the idea of protecting the nation through the divine power of deites and Buddhas.

  • Regional Cuisine and HospitalitySavor traditional local foods and bento (lunch box meals) from the past,
    recreated from the ancient recipes of the Gyokoe, while bathing in the hospitality of the local people.

  • Experience the spirit of Hachiman and the Satoyama woodlandsThe course is approximately 120 km, cycling about 60 km each day,
    with some ups and downs but mostly flat terrain, making cycling comfortable on an e-bike.

SCHEDULE

DAY
-1-

Follow the path of the Usa Gyokoe This tour follows the path of the Usa Gyokoe,
the ritual of renewing an object of worship (goshintai) housed in Usa Jingu Shrine.
This is a special course that takes you to eight shrines that are closely related tothe Usa Jingu Shrine,
an important shrine in Japan, and you will feel the sacred power of the shrine.

morning Komo-Jinjya Shrine (Departure) → Onegawa-Jinjya Shrine → Otome-Jinjya Shrine
→ Sakaiizumi-Jinjya Shrine → Takai-Jinjya Shrine
lunch Takasu Kannon (lunch: Gyokoe Omotenashi Bento box)
afternoon Tsumagaki-Jinjya Shrine → Usa Jingu Shrine
stay Accommodation

HIGHLIGHT

  • Komo-Jinjya Shrine Visit Koma-Jinjya Shrine and the sacred Misumi Pond, are the starting point of the Gyokoe.
    It is said that the Komo Makura was made from the makomomo plant that grew around Misumi Pond and bestowed it with spiritual power. The Misumi Pond is also believed to be a resting place of the deity of Usa

  • Rural landscapes Cycle along paths surrounded by tranquil rural landscapes reminiscent of the original landscape of Japan.
    In spring, the powder pink cherry blossoms along the river are in full bloom, creating an unforgettable experience.

  • Takasu Kannon After passing through a hand-dug tunnel, encounter the mysterious stone Buddha at Takasu Kannon,
    and ponder a moment to discover the beauty of Japanese nature and its deeply-rooted spiritual beliefs.

  • Torii Bridge The charming town of Innai has the highest number of stone bridges in Oita Prefecture. Enjoy views of graceful,
    arched stone bridges. Cycle over the Torii Bridge, a great photo spot.

  • Usa Jingu Shrine Visit Usa Jingu Shrine, with a history of 1,300 years, and the head shrine of more than 40,000 Hachiman shrines in Japan. Immerse yourself in the depth of Japanese spiritual culture in the tranquil atmosphere of the shrine grounds.

DAY
-2-

Follow the path of the Nata Gyokoe You will follow the path of the Nata Gyokoe, which delivers the an object of worship (goshintai)
of Usa Jingu Shrine to Yahata Nata Shrine.
Bike across the rural villages and satoyama of the Kunisaki Peninsula,
once the manor of Usa Jingu Shrine, and contemplate the original landscape of Japan.
When you see the Nata coast, your heart will skip a beat.

morning Hotel (Departure) → Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine → Tashibunoshou
→ Tashibu Motomiya Hachimansha Shrine → Tashibu Sannomiya Hachimansha Shrine
lunch Shirahige Tawara-Jinjya Shrine (lunch: Gyokoe Omotenashi bento box)
afternoon Benbun Yasakasha Shrine → Hachiman Natagu Shrine

HIGHLIGHT

  • Tashibunoshou Manor With a history of 1,000 years, is one of Japan’s oldest preserved rice-farming estates,
    earning it designaton as a World Agricultural Heritage Site, and a UNESCO future heritage site.
    The area is carefully protected by the local community and the property is said to retain the original appearance of early rice-paddy landscapes in Japan.

  • Shirahige Tawara-Jinjya Shrine The Doburoku Festival celebrates a traditional unfiltered Japanese sake called nigori.
    that was offered to the gods along with the rice harvest in Shinto rituals of old.
    The celebration is held at this shrine every October, continuing a historic ritual since 710 AD.
    Only about 30 shrines in Japan are permitted to brew doburoku.
    At Shirahige Tawara-jinjya Shrine, visitors can taste doburoku brewed by the shrine parishioners.

  • Hachiman Natagu Shrine From the moment you enter the Nata Coast, you will cycle through a number of rural villages and satoyama forests and coastlines.
    Stop and admire the historic Hachiman Natagu Shrine with its location on a small island off the coast and its torii gate standing on a rocky reef.
    Located half-way down the Nata Coast, Hachiman Natagu Shrine is our final stop on this tour and is the place where the the old Komo Makura finished their role as sacred objects.

INFORMATION

Accommodation
meal
DAY breakfast lunch dinner
1 - ● ●
2 ● ● -
What to Bring & What to Wear

・Comfortable clothes
　(such as pants not too wide at the hem)
・A bag, such as a backpack,
　to carry your belongings.
・Shoes or sneakers that can get dirty
　(no sandals or heeled shoes)
・Fluids for drinking
・Gloves, hat, sunscreen

Meeting / Disbanding

Komo Shrine / Hachimannadagu Shrine

Registration Deadline

10 days prior booking required.
For more urgent bookings, please contact us.

Level of Skill Required (1 to 5)

★★☆☆☆（2.0）

Level of Physical Effort (1 to 5)

★★★★☆（4.0）
*Includes activities such as cycling,
which requires about 60-70 km per day.

Price Per Person (including tax)

¥132,000

Age & Height Requirement

Recommended for age 16 years and over
Height 154 cm or taller recommended
(to fit e-bikes)
Must be able to ride safely on public roads.

What's Included

・Accommodation (1 night)
・Meals (1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner)
・Guiding fee
・Bicycle rental (e-bike)
Note: Please purchase your own bicycle insurance.

What's Not Included

・All beverages during meals
・Transport to and from the meeting and disbanding points
・Insurance
・Any other extra costs outside of "What's Included."
Note: For those who choose to pay by bank transfer,
transfer charges will be borne by the customer.

Note

・Taxis to and/or from the meeting point are available on request and require an additional fee (Optional). ・Private cars are available for an additional fee (Optional).

Cancellation Policy

【Customer Cancellation Fees】
On or after the 20 days prior to the tour start date: 20% of the tour fee
On or after the 7 days prior to the tour start date: 30% of the tour fee
On the day before the tour start date: 40% of the tour fee
On the day of the tour (but before the start): 50% of the tour fee
Cancellation after the start of the trip, or no-show: 100% of the tour fee

【Cancellation by the Organizer/Provider】
In the event of foul weather or poor road conditions, the tour may be cancelled to ensure safety.
In the event of cancellation, a decision will be made one day before and you will be notified by phone or email.
If the forecast is for nice weather but it turns foul on the day of the tour, the tour may be cancelled the same day.
In such cases when the organizer cancels the tour before the start of the day, no cancellation fee will be charged to the guest.
*The itinerary may be changed or cancelled after the tour has started.
In such cases, an itinerary change deposit will be paid in accordance with the General Conditions of the Tour Operator's Agreement,
except in cases of natural disasters and other exemptions.
*In the event that it is deemed difficult to continue the tour due to rain or other reasons after the tour has started,
the tour may be cancelled. No refund will be made in this case.

CONTACT US

Travel agents

Toyonokuni Millennium Heritage Tourism Zone

location 11-8 Kyomachi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture 874-0926
License Oita Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Agency
No. 2-210
e-mail jikuhaku@millennium-roman.jp
Tel / Fax +81-977-85-8511　/　+81-977-85-8516
Web site https://www.millennium-roman.jp/