What kind of image comes to your mind when you think of Oita Prefecture? As typified by Beppu and Yufuin, hot springs are one of the major attractions of Oita Prefecture. However, this time I will introduce the charm of Oita Prefecture from a different perspective. Those is power spots.
When traveling, we have various objectives. We want to eat delicious food, enjoy hot springs, visit temples, go on experience tours, etc. How about adding a visit to power spots to the purpose of such a trip? This article will surely pique your interest in power spots, not only for those who want to visit a power spot but also for those who have been unlucky lately or who don't believe in power spots.
1. Usa Shrine, the head shrine of all Hachiman shrines across the country
The first place we will introduce is Usa Jingu Shrine. This is the head shrine of the approximately 44,000 Hachiman shrines across the country, and is visited by approximately 1.5 million people every year. There are many cultural assets, including the main hall, which is designated as a national treasure. There are many power spots scattered within the vast grounds of Usa Jingu Shrine.
The "Okusu Tree" is a power spot that many people visit after members of EXILE once visited to pray for the success of their album, which ended up being a big hit. The "Couple Stone" is said to bring happiness to married couples and bring good luck to single people. The powers of the stones are varied, including the "Wishing Jizo" which is said to grant wishes once in a lifetime.
Name: Usa Shrine
Address: 2859 Minamiusa, Usa City, Oita Prefecture
Official and related site URL: http://www.usajinguu.com/
2. Is the "Usuki Rock-Carved Buddha" an effective way to avoid layoffs?
Next, we will introduce Usuki Magaibutsu. Simply put, a Magaibutsu is a Buddhist statue carved into a cliff or its interior. It is different from a Buddha statue carved from carved stone. The Usuki Magaibutsu is the first rock-carved Buddha in Japan to be designated a national treasure and is extremely valuable as a cultural asset.
It is said that the Usuki Magaibutsu has the power to avoid financial hardship and to ward off restructuring. This is because the Buddha statue's head had been separated from its body, but the neck and body were reconnected through repairs, and so it is said to have this power.
Name: Usuki Rock Buddhas
Address: 804-1 Fukada, Usuki City, Oita Prefecture
Official and related site URL: http://sekibutsu.com/index.php
3. The shrine where "wealth" comes, its name is "Tomurai Shrine"
Tomiku Shrine, a spot whose name suggests it has power, offers financial luck, such as prosperity in business and luck in games, just as the name suggests. Also, if you look closely at Tomiku Shrine, you will see the word "tomikuji," which is why many people visit to pray for winning the lottery.
Within the shrine grounds, there is a statue called the "Kaiun Untama Karajishi Statue," and it is said that if you touch the ball held by the statue, called the "Untama," your wish will come true. If you are thinking of buying a lottery ticket, why not visit Tomiku Shrine before you buy one?
Name: Tomiku Shrine
Address: 1639-2 Ankokuji, Kunisaki-cho, Kunisaki-shi, Oita Prefecture
Official and related site URL: http://www.city.kunisaki.oita.jp/soshiki/kanko/yumekikou-tomikuji.html
4. Feel the vitality of the sacred tree "Okinesha Shrine's Large Cedar"
The "Ogosha Osugi" is a large cedar tree located in the grounds of Ogosha Shrine in Yufuin Town, which is famous for its hot springs. This large cedar tree, which has also been designated a national natural monument, is about 38 meters tall and has a circumference of about 13 meters at its base. It is very large, and is the largest sacred tree in Oita Prefecture and the second largest in the country. It is said to be over 1,000 years old, which alone makes it seem powerful.
This large cedar has experienced many fires in the past. However, despite being in danger of being burned down each time, it has not withered and continues to live and thrive to this day. The vitality of this large cedar is the source of its power, and it has given blessings to many people. It is located in a hot spring area, so please visit it when you are sightseeing.
Name: Ogisha Shrine's Large Cedar
Address: 746-19 Kawaminami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
Official and related site URL: https://goo.gl/uYVoIH
5. The Nio statues welcome you at Futagoji Temple
The last temple we would like to introduce is Futagoji Temple in Kunisaki City in the northeastern part of Oita Prefecture. This temple is located on the slope of Mount Futagoji, and a pair of Nio statues stand powerfully on both sides of the stone steps leading to the temple grounds. The strength of these Nio statues may also be a source of power.
The place you should visit at Futagoji Temple is the "inner sanctuary." This inner sanctuary has been the subject of faith in fertility since ancient times and is a power spot for people hoping to be blessed with children. In addition, in the cave next to the main hall, there is the "sacred water of immortality and longevity," and it is a place where you can expect to be blessed with immortality and longevity. There are many forests surrounding the temple, and it has been selected as one of the "100 Best Forests for Forest Bathing." Futagoji Temple is a recommended spot for forest bathing and receiving power.
Name: Futagoji Temple
Address: 1548 Ryogo, Akimachi, Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture
Official and related site URL: http://www.futagoji.jp/
Summary
We have introduced five power spots in Oita Prefecture. Those who are obsessed with power spots will be interested in them. The places we have introduced this time are power spots, but they are also worth visiting as regular tourist destinations. There is nothing to lose by going, so even if you don't believe in power spots, why not try visiting them as a regular tourist destination? Maybe something good will happen.