About a 30-minute drive from Takachiho, we arrived at the Heitate Jingu Shrine in Soyo Town, known as the “navel (center) of Kyushu.
The Heitate Jingu Shrine, with its towering giant cypress tree said to be 15,000 years old, is also known about “Goshikijin_sai” in August. Goshiki(The five colors) represent the colors of the world’s races (red, white, yellow, black, and blue), and said to be a ceremony where the gods of the world gather to pray for the happiness of mankind and peace in the world.
After visiting the Heitate Jingu Shrine, we went to the favorite “Bakery YAMAGEN” just a few minutes away. Our friends who were visiting from Tokyo said, “The apple pie, margherita, unbaked cheesecake, and tart are all excellent! I want to come back!” They were so happy.
Our next destination is the Seiwa Bunraku Kan, a 10-minute drive away!
My friends said, “I didn’t know there was such a facility deep in the mountains!” They were amazed.
Seiwa Bunraku originated in the late Edo period (around 1850), when villagers who loved joruri bought puppets from a puppet theater troupe from Awaji that visited the village and learned their techniques.
The Seiwa Bunraku troupe is composed of farmers and has been handed down through performances of dedication plays on the rural stages of local shrines and invitations to local events.
Why not enjoy a trip to the Seiwa Bunraku Kan, the only place in Kyushu where you can enjoy Ningyo Joruri (puppet theater), located deep in a mountain?
*This is a ticket for the exhibition area. Please pay an additional fee on site if you wish to see the performance.
Cover photograph provided by 熊本県観光連盟
