Bungo-Mori Roundhouse
豊後森機関庫
A fan-shaped locomotive shed and turntable built in 1934, with steam locomotives parked in front of weathered concrete sheds. It is a pilgrimage site for railfans and photographers.
The Bungo-Mori Roundhouse is in Kuju Town. It was built in 1934 as a locomotive base for the Kyudai Main Line and is the only remaining fan-shaped roundhouse in Kyushu. The concrete walls still bear bullet marks from machine-gun strafing during World War II. It is registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property and an Industrial Heritage of Modernization. In front of the roundhouse are a turntable and a Type 9600 steam locomotive. The ruin-like building has a strong atmosphere in the evening light. In recent years it has become more famous because of the 'door' installation linked to the animated film Suzume. The grounds are free to visit, and the adjacent Roundhouse Museum displays railway materials.
Getting there: About a 5-minute walk from Bungo-Mori Station on the JR Kyudai Main Line. The Yufuin no Mori train passes through here. Driving from Yufuin takes about 40 minutes.
Opening hours
Park open all day; museum about 9:00 am–5:00 pm, closed Tuesdays
Nearby sights
- Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi
- Kinrin Lake
- Yabakei Ao-no-Domon
- Mount Yufu
- Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari
- Beppu Ropeway & Mount Tsurumi
- Myoban Onsen
- Beppu Onsen Hoyoland