Miyajitake Shrine and Okoba Station Area [Kumamoto]

【Okoba Station】

Okoba Station is one stop from Hitoyoshi Station on the Hisatsu Line (Yatsushiro ⇔ Hayato) of JR Kyushu and was famous for its switchbacks (a method of climbing steep slopes that greatly exceed the climbing capacity of railcars, in which the tracks are laid in a zigzag pattern on the steep slope to ease the slope and allow the train to move up and down the slope while moving forward and backward). It is one of the sacred places for the anime “Natsume’s Book of Friends.

Okoba Station has been unmanned since the flood, but the business cards on the walls indicate that it has a strong fan base. It is not a ruin, but it looks like an archaeological site. It is said that the station is near the residence of the little fox that appears in the first season episode 7 of “Natsume’s Friend” and other episodes.

There was also a line in which Reiko appeared in the 6th season OP of Natsume’s Friend.

The cherry blossoms were beautiful and I was able to take my time to see the retro atmosphere of the station building and platform. I was born in Aomori, and although Ashino Park is not an abandoned station, the atmosphere was similar.

Ashino Park [Aomori]

【Miyajitake Shrine】

When you exit the station building of “Ohata Station,” a station in an unexplored region, you will find the approach to Miyajidake Shrine. The torii gate seems to be made of dismantled parts of the bridge over Hitoyoshi Station. It is said that the torii gate was built and dedicated by the “Okoba Eki wo Tomonokai” (Friends’ Association for Loving Okoba Station).

I could not find out the details, but it seems that this Miyajidake Shrine is a branch of Miyajidake Shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture. The deities are also named as follows: Isochosoku-hirunomikoto (Empress Jingu), Katsumura-taijin (Fujinotakamaro), and Katsuyori-taijin (Fujinosukemaro).

宮地嶽神社【福岡県】

Passing through the torii gate and up the slope, we found the hall of worship, where an ema (votive votive tablet) from a “Natsume’s Book of Friends” fan was dedicated.

The shrine itself is small, but it is well maintained and offers a spectacular view of the peaceful scenery of the Hitoyoshi Basin.

The view was excellent and the dancing cherry blossoms were very picturesque.

【Hitoyoshi Plum Garden】

Although the name is Plum Garden, the cherry blossoms were also very beautiful. if you go there from February to late March, you can see beautifully bloomed flowers in the order of plum blossoms, then cherry blossoms. I feel that this is a popular place for local people to view cherry blossoms. I envy the locals very much for having such a beautiful place.

【Okoba Station Access】

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Tamachi Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine [Kumamoto] Okadome Kumanoza Shrine (Happiness Shrine) [Kumamoto] Ashino Park [Aomori] Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park [Aomori]