Yabakei Ao-no-Domon
青の洞門
A hand-dug tunnel completed by the Edo-period monk Zenkai over about 30 years. It sits next to the Yamakuni River and the Kyoshu Peak, and is the heart of Yabakei's autumn foliage.
Ao-no-Domon is a tunnel in Motoyabakei Town, Nakatsu City. The monk Zenkai began digging it by hand with hammer and chisel in the mid-Edo period, so travelers could avoid a dangerous cliff path. The work took about 30 years. The full length was about 342 meters, and about 144 meters of the hand-dug section survives today. Kan Kikuchi's novel 'Beyond Gratitude and Enmity' was inspired by this tunnel. Chisel marks and light windows are still visible inside. When you come out, the Zenkai Bridge offers views of the odd rock pinnacles of Kyoshu Peak across the Yamakuni River. In autumn the red leaves and rock peaks complement each other beautifully. Admission is free, and the site is open all day. Nearby sights that can be combined include Yabakei Rakanji Temple and Ichimoku Hakkei.
Getting there: Driving from Yufuin or Beppu takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. By public transport, take a Daiko Hokubu bus from JR Nakatsu Station for about 25 minutes to the 'Ao-no-Domon' stop.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Usa Jingū
- Bungo-Mori Roundhouse
- Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari
- Kinrin Lake
- Mount Yufu
- Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi
- Myoban Onsen
- Beppu Ropeway & Mount Tsurumi