5 New Places Within the Prefecture

(Oita Godo Newspaper, February 7th 2009, morning paper page 1)

On February 6th, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan who is aware about the existence of historical buildings contributed by the process of modernization in Japan, announced "the Heritage of Industrial Modernization", recognizing five places, such as the two storehouses near Bungo Forest Station, Senkeikikanko or "the fan-type engine warehouse" and Tenshadai or "the turntable" in Kusu Town, and so on.

The Heritage of Industrial Modernization is a system to raise awareness of the buildings which were built between the end of Edo period to the beginning of Showa period. The pioneer was Sea Bream Kanayama in Hita City and there are 575 places all over Japan.

　This time, besides Senkeikikanko and Tenshadai,  in Oita Prefecture, the "Takegawara Hot Spring" and "Takegawara Wooden Arcade" (Beppu city), as well as "Mizunokojima Lighthouse" (Saiki City) were also chosen.

　Bungo Forest System Warehouse was utilized from 1934 to 1970. Having changed the direction of the locomotive and focusing on "the turntable" there is a system warehouse of the sector which accommodates 12. It only exists in Kyushu, and it is Japan's biggest one.

In Beppu City, "Takegawara Hot Spring" is the symbol of the existence of the Eight Hells of Beppu. The existing building which is constructed in 1938 has unique appearance such as the triangular roof in Chinese style roof. Takegawara Wooden Arcade with 70 meters of length was completely construbcted in 1921, and known as the oldest wooden arcade in Japan.

Bungo Waterwork's Mizunokojima Lighthouse first illuminated in 1904. It is famous nationwide as the second highest stone lighthouse.

Comment: In every prefecture, there are plenty of historical buildings and it would be very productive if those buildings are reopened to public and it might attract more tourists from all over the nation and even from overseas.

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama

APM 2nd year

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University