niponica is a web magazine that introduces modern Japan to people all over the world.
2018 NO.24
Strolling Japan
Where Ocean,
Rivers and Mountains
Decorate a CitySaiki
Deep in the mountains within Saiki city limits, in the south, a river flows over an enormous slab of rock in the Fujikawachi Gorge. Here you can enjoy the thrills of “canyoning” and other adventures.
Japanese fireflies numbering in the hundreds of thousands gather over the upper reaches of the Bansho River within the city limits, from the middle of May to mid-June. They are celebrated with local festive events.
Japanese serow (goat-antelopes) and sobo-sanshouo salamanders are among the rare wildlife living in the western mountains.
Photos courtesy of Association for Natural History of Bungo Ono City
Within the city limits to the west lie Kyushu’s highest mountains. Deep within them live endangered species, the best known being the Japanese serow (goat-antelope) and a type of salamander called sobo-sanshouo. In June 2017, the area was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: an exemplary area where humanity and nature sustainably and harmoniously co-exist.
For those who want to get out in nature, campgrounds and cycling routes are some of the options. In the northwestern corner of the city, where the Kuwabara River flows through the Fujikawachi Gorge, there is a popular place for a special type of water sport. A single immense slab of granite, together with the gentle curves the river has carved into the rock over eons, offer the thrill of “canyoning” adventures in summer, where people jump from the slab into the pool far below. The pure running waters are great for such exploits, but also for tranquil moments. Elsewhere within the city limits, hundreds of thousands of fireflies do their mystical dance on the Bansho River from mid-May to mid-June. Of course, the locals hold a festival in appreciation.
Green tourism programs include interacting with the locals, to learn about Saiki’s natural environment, culture and history.
Saiki’s temperate climate offers excellent conditions for growing kabosu citrus fruit. Then there are the grapes, whose sour-sweet taste is enhanced by the warm days and cool nights. The grapes are often made into vinegar or some other seasoning, all highly regarded as local specialties.
Farming communities and fishing villages both have their charms, actively promoted over the last few years as “only in Saiki” green tourism experiences. Visitors can stay in a house deep in the mountains, or in a fishing-related facility, helping with the harvest and eating with the friendly locals. There is nothing quite like spending some quiet time with a culture that has stayed alive for many years.
Saiki has so many fascinations close by, giving travelers countless ways to enjoy the place. If you go, your own choices will make your trip truly memorable.
Saiki Area Maps
●Access
Fly from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, Chubu International Airport, or Osaka’s Itami Airport to Oita Airport: flight time from 60 to 100 minutes. Then take a bus to Oita Station. From there, board a limited express train to Saiki Station, about 70 minutes away.
●Information
Saiki City Tourist Information Center
http://saiki-kankou.com/
Available in Japanese.
Saiki Green Tourism Society
http://www.yappa-saiki.sakura.ne.jp/saiki-gtr2/index.html
Available in Japanese.