Aonodōmon — Attraction in Nakatsu

【大分県中津市‐耶馬渓‐青の洞門と競秀峰＆オランダ橋】 大分県中津市の名所で国の名勝指定。 日本三大奇景（奇勝）の耶馬溪『青の洞門と競秀峰』

江戸時代、荒瀬井堰が造られたことによって山国川の水がせき止められ、樋田・青地区では川の水位が上がりました。そのため通行人は競秀峰の高い岩壁に作られ鉄の鎖を命綱にした大変危険な道を通っていました。

諸国巡礼の旅の途中に耶馬渓へ立ち寄った禅海和尚は、この危険な道で人馬が命を落とすのを見て心を痛め、享保20年（1735年）から自力で岩壁を掘り始めました。

禅海和尚は托鉢勧進によって資金を集め、雇った石工たちとともにノミと鎚だけで掘り続け、30年余り経った明和元年(1764)、全長342m(うちトンネル部分は144m)の洞門を完成させました。

寛延3年(1750)には第1期工事落成記念の大供養が行われ、以降は「人は4文、牛馬は8文」の通行料を徴収して工事の費用に充てており、日本初の有料道路とも言われています。

※NikonのフラッグシップミラーレスカメラZ9で撮影 使用レンズはF2.8　24‐70㎜の広角ズームレンズ

[Yabakei - Blue Cave Gate and Kyosgu Peak and Dutch Bridge in Nakatsu city,Japan] Theplaces where you should visit in Nakatsu City is Japan's Three Great Scenic Views ``Yabakei "Blue Cave Gate and Kyoshu peak"

In the Edo period, the construction of the Arasei Weir dammed the water of the Yamakuni River and the water level of the river rose in the Hida and Ao districts. As a result,people were forced to take the dangerous road built on the high rock wall of Mt. Qixiu and using iron chains as a lifeline.

Zenkai who stopped at Yabakei on his pilgrimage to various countries was heartbroken to see people and horses lose their lives on this dangerous road and began digging a rock wall on his own in the 20th year 1735.

Zenkai raised funds through mendicant solicitation and together with the stonemasons he hired, he continued to dig with only chisels and hammers, and more than 30 years later in 1764, he completed a cave gate with a total length of 342 meters.

*Shot by my Nikon's flagship mirrorless camera Z9 The lens is F2.8 24-70mm...

It has been many years since I visited and led tours here. When you visit, ask yourself why the monk felt it necessary to carve this tunnel, which took nearly 30 years to complete. And be sure to check out the watering hole which isn't too far away, but off the beated path. It isn't too far from the...

An interesting history here. It's a shame that in more modern times a road has been carved through this magnificent cliff, only to be closed due to rock fall hazard. Still, a nice quiet place to go for a walk and enjoy...