Yabakei
耶馬渓
One of the places locals name first when asked what to see here.
What this place is
The gorge of Yabakei (耶馬渓) is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty spanning the municipalities of Kusu and Nakatsu in Ōita Prefecture, Japan. Located within Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park, it was selected as one of the 100 Landscapes of Japan during the Shōwa era. Yabakei was formerly the name of a town, but was merged into Nakatsu Municipality in 2005. According to Fire and Disaster Management Agency of Japan, official confirmed report, in despite the absence of rain, suddenly landslides occurred on the mountain slope, three houses were buried in the place and six people lost their lives on 11 April 2018.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- A setting that gives you the character of the area in a single visit.
- Scenery and detail that shift with the season, the weather and the time of day.
- Easy to combine with other stops nearby, so it works as the anchor of a half-day plan.
What you can do here
- Take the main viewpoint first, then explore the quieter edges most visitors skip.
- Read the on-site information boards — they usually explain far more than online listings.
- Photograph in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewest people.
- Pair the visit with a nearby café, market or hot spring to round out the trip.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
Getting there by public transport
Good to know before you go
- Check the last admission and last bus/train before you go; rural services stop early.
- Carry cash — smaller sites and rural transport may not accept cards or IC.
- Weekday mornings are consistently the calmest time to visit.
Traveler reviews
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