Tonegawa is a beautiful mountain settlement in Shiiba Village, Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, where Japanese culture and nature exist in harmony. On December 25, 1998, the area was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government, and it continues to preserve its historic landscape.
The district covers approximately 39.9 hectares and consists of the Tonegawa and Okubo settlements. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it has a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Houses and farmland are scattered across a gentle south-facing slope at an elevation of around 550 meters. Traditional houses in the distinctive Shiiba architectural style and beautiful stone retaining walls are among the area’s defining features.
Shiiba-style houses are a distinctive form of traditional architecture developed in this region. They are characterized by long, narrow buildings with a single-row floor plan.
In the main house, rooms are arranged side by side. These include the “doji,” or earthen-floored area; “uchine,” the living room; “dee,” the guest room; and “koza,” the Buddhist altar room. This arrangement creates a spacious interior.
The architectural style developed in response to the area’s rugged mountainous terrain. Stone walls support the house plots, while stables and storehouses attached to the houses also play important roles in daily life. To reduce the risk of fire spreading, storehouses are built a short distance away from the main houses.
Stone walls extend throughout the Tonegawa settlement. Some are more than 4 meters high and over 40 meters long. They were built long ago to adapt to the difficult terrain of the mountainous area, and they form a distinctive landscape in harmony with the surrounding green forests.
The stone walls are constructed using a technique known as “ran-zumi,” in which stones are laid in an irregular arrangement. Their construction demonstrates the high level of skill possessed by the craftsmen who built them.
These walls do more than support houses and farmland. They also enhance the appearance of the entire settlement, giving Tonegawa much of its distinctive character.
Tonegawa Shrine serves five settlements: Tonegawa, Okubo, Shiibara, Kanoyu, and Uchinoyae. It is deeply revered by local residents as a deity of matchmaking and the formation of good relationships.
The shrine is also a historic symbol of Shiiba Village. Local traditions tell that surviving members of the Heike clan once lived in hiding in this area. The site is also known as the place where Nasuno Daihachiro established his military headquarters, further connecting the shrine with the village’s history.
Old documents handed down in Shiiba Village, including Shiibayama Yuraiki and Shiibayama Kongenki, record that an expeditionary force sent to pursue the Heike clan established its camp in this area. According to local tradition, the place name “Shiiba” originated from these events.
The Tonegawa settlement is spread across a steep mountain slope in a valley at an elevation of around 550 meters. Residents have lived in harmony with nature, adapting to the challenging terrain while making their living through agriculture and forestry.
One distinctive feature of the area is the extensive use of stone walls to create level ground on the slopes. Houses on higher terraces are built at elevations above the roofs of houses on the terraces below. In this way, residents have made effective use of the limited available land and developed a way of life that coexists with the natural environment.
Numerous cultural assets and natural attractions can be found around Tonegawa in Shiiba Village. Particularly notable are the Hachimura Cedar and the giant cypress tree of Okubo, both designated as Natural Monuments of Japan.
These enormous trees give visitors a sense of the power of nature and the passage of time. Together with the surrounding landscape, they make a strong impression on those who visit.
Tonegawa Shrine is also popular as a shrine associated with matchmaking and good relationships. It is especially recommended for couples and families. The Hachimura Cedar and Tonegawa Shrine can both be reached on foot in approximately five minutes, making it possible to combine a nature walk with a visit to historic sites.
Travel by car is the main way to reach Tonegawa in Shiiba Village.
From Miyazaki Airport, the journey takes approximately three hours. Take the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway, travel via Hyuga Interchange, and continue along National Routes 327 and 265.
From Kumamoto Airport, the journey takes approximately two hours via National Routes 443 and 218.
Visitors using public transportation can travel by car from JR Kyushu’s Nippo Main Line stations at Hyuga-shi Station or Nobeoka Station. The journey takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes to two hours and 15 minutes, depending on the departure station.
There are many places to visit around Shiiba Village. Shiiba Itsukushima Shrine and the Nasu Family Residence, commonly known as Tsurutomi Residence, are particularly popular. Both offer historical interest and beautiful traditional architecture.
Other attractions include Kami-Shiiba Dam, the Shiiba Folk Performing Arts Museum, and the large ginkgo tree at Matsuo. These destinations offer opportunities to explore both the natural environment and the cultural heritage of the region.
At the Shiiba Folk Performing Arts Museum, visitors can learn about the area’s traditional culture and way of life, gaining a deeper understanding of the village’s history and customs.
Tonegawa in Shiiba Village is a beautiful mountain settlement where distinctive natural scenery and historic buildings exist in harmony. Its traditional houses, known as Shiiba-style architecture, and stone walls showcasing the skill of local craftsmen create an atmosphere reminiscent of an open-air museum.
Surrounded by nature and far from the bustle of urban areas, Tonegawa offers visitors an opportunity to experience the history and culture that have been passed down through generations. While exploring the village, visitors can appreciate the rich natural environment and traditional way of life that make Shiiba such a special place.