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      • Beppu
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    • Famous Foods >
      • Bungo beef
      • Toriten (Chicken Tempura)
      • Chicken Karaage (Deep Fried Chicken)
      • Horse Mackerel
      • Fugu (Blowfish)
      • Shiroshita Karei (Marbled Flounder)
      • Kabosu fed Amberjack and Halibut
      • Hamo (Conger Pike)
      • Ayu (Sweetfish)
      • Japanese Spiny Lobster
      • Hyuga Don (Tuna Donburi)
      • Sea Bream Ochazuke
      • Oysters
      • Suppon (Softshell Turtle)
      • Cutlass Fish
      • Kuruma shrimps (Tiger prawns)
      • Hitan Sushi
      • Saiki Sushi
      • Beppu Reimen
      • Yakisoba
      • Bungo-takada Soba (Buckwheat noodles)
      • Jigoku Mushi (Hell Steamed Food)
      • Jigoku Mushi Custard Pudding
      • Kokonoe Yume Burger (Kokonoe Dream Burger)
      • Dango jiru (Dumpling Soup)
      • Sake (Japanese Alcohol)
      • Kanta-kun (Sweet potatoes)
      • Kabosu citrus
      • Shiitake Mushroom
    • Festivals and Events >
      • Complete List of Festivals and Events
      • Ajimu Wine Festival
      • Awashima Park Flower Festival
      • Beppu Hatto Hot Spring Festival & Fire Festival
      • Beppu Hi no Umi Festival (Ocean Fire Festival)
      • Christmas Hanabi Fantasia (Christmas Fireworks Festival)
      • Eat Beef and Scream
      • Gaman Taikai
      • Hiji Curry Rally
      • Himeshima Bon Odori
      • Hina Doll Tour, Hiji Castle Town
      • Hina Doll Tour, Usuki
      • Hita Gion Festival
      • Hita Kawabiraki Tourism Festival (Hita Kankousai)
      • Hita Sennen Akari Festival
      • Hita Tenryo Festival
      • Horan Enya (Fisherman's Festival)
      • Japan Fairy Tale Festival
      • Kamegawa Summer Festival
      • Karaage Festival
      • Kebesu Festival
      • Kitsuki Castle Festival
      • Kitsuki Castle Town Walk and Hina Doll Tour
      • Kitsuki Moon Viewing Festival (Lantern Festival)
      • Koton Village Sakura Festival
      • Nakatsu Gion Festival
      • Nakatsu Hina Doll Festival
      • Oita International Wheelchair Marathon
      • Oita Tanabata (including Funai Pacchin Festival)
      • Oka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
      • Oka Castle Town Hina Doll Festival
      • Onta Pottery Festival (Onta-yaki Mentousai) Autumn
      • Onta Pottery Festival (Onta-yaki Mentousai) Spring
      • Oonogawa Battle Festival
      • Sanko Cosmos Festival
      • Shimanawa Rope Tying (Sacred Straw Rope Tying)
      • Shiroshita Karei Festival
      • Shujo Onie
      • Stone Buddha Fire Festival
      • Taketa Bamboo Festival
      • Taketa Ice-cream Rally
      • Tenjin Festival
      • Tenryo Hita Doll Festival
      • Tsukumi Minato Festival (Tsukumi Port Festival)
      • Tsukumi Traditional Fan Dance
      • Tulip Festa
      • Usa Mikoshi Festival (Usa Summer Festival)
      • Usuki Gion Festival
      • Usuki Takeyoi (Lantern Festival)
      • Wakamiya Hachiman Naked Festival
    • Onsen Culture >
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      • What to bring
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      • Nature >
        • Chinda Falls
        • Harajiri Falls
        • Himeshima - Hime Island
        • Honjyo Water wheel
        • Izumi Stone Caves
        • Jigoku Meguri - the Hells Tour
        • Kuju Mountain Range
        • Kunisaki-Kitsuki Cycling Road
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      • Temples and Shrines >
        • Bungo Futamigaura
        • Futago-ji
        • Fugen Temple - Fugen-ji
        • Gyoran no taki - Kappa Temple
        • Komo Shrine
        • Rakan Temple - Rakan-ji
        • Usa-jingu - Usa Shrine
      • Onsens and Spas >
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Kunisaki Peninsula - 国東半島

About Kunisaki

The Kunisaki Peninsula is in the North-Easternmost corner of Oita Prefecture. The peninsula runs along the sleepy coastline of the Seto Inland Sea which runs between Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu. Whilst Kunisaki is designated as a city, it is made up of the four towns of Kunisaki, Musashi, Aki, and Kunimi. Aki town is closest geographically to Kitsuki City, whilst Kunimi town is geographically closest to Bungo Takada City. 
The area is quite rural and has a wealth of nature, beaches, temples and shrines; most notably the beautiful Futago-Ji which is set in the mountains between Kunisaki town, Kunimi town and Takada City.

Following in the nationwide love of mascots and cute things, the mascot for the Kunisaki Peninsula is the very cute Kabosu lime Sakichikun (さきちくん)!

JET LIfe in Kunisaki

画像Futago-ji Temple. Photo taken by Holly, used with permission.
There are 3 JETs in the Kunisaki Peninsula, two JHS/ES ALTs and one SHS ALT. The housing is privately rented with the SHS ALT living in Kunisaki town and the two JHS/ES ALTs living in Musashi town, close to the airport. It is typically a 10-15 minute drive between the ALTs living in Musashi to the ALT living in Kunisaki and the distance is not walkable.

The SHS ALT will typically work at two SHS in the area, one is a short walk from their apartment in Kunisaki town, whilst the other in Kunimi town, which they will visit once a week, is a 20-30 minute drive. In a rare (but very welcome) case, the SHS ALT also visits the elementary and junior high schools on Himeshima island, with visits to the ES being monthly, whilst the JHS is only visited once a school term. This is an incredible experience to teach at all levels of the school system and to travel to the beautiful island of Himeshima.

The ES/SHS are split into two areas of the peninsula, with one ALT serving schools in the Aki and Musashi area, whilst the other will be at schools in Kunisaki and Kunimi. Their time will be divided between roughly 8 schools in each area, with one school serving as their base school. They will have a supervisor at the Kunisaki Board of Education which is located at Asto, in Kunisaki town. Some schools are located in rural locations of the peninsula and therefore it is imperative for each ALT to have a car to get around.

Kunisaki City as a whole is a relatively quiet and rural location with basic amenities such as banks, supermarkets and restaurants, but for wider entertainment and facilities you will need to travel slightly further afield. It is strongly recommended for each ALT to have a car, not only as a necessity to travel to and from work, but also as a means of entertaining oneself and travelling on the weekends.

Transport
画像
Futago-ji Temple. Photo and header taken by Holly, used with permission.
The Kunisaki Peninsula is the home of Oita Airport, which has domestic flights to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya throughout the day on ANA, JAL, Jetstar and Solaseed Air.  There are also twice weekly flights to Seoul, South Korea, operated by the budget airline, T`Way Air.

You can reach the airport from Kitsuki, Hiji, Beppu and Oita city using the Airport Limosine Bus, which runs multiple times an hour directly to and from Oita Airport. Oita Airport also has bus services running to other various points within Oita Prefecture, however they are not all that frequent.

The best way to get around the Kunisaki Peninsula is by car as there are limited bus services and no railway connections, the nearest train station being in Kitsuki. Multiple car rental agencies are available at Oita Airport.

The Suonada Ferry runs multiple times a day between Taketazu (the northernmost reaches of Kunisaki Peninsula, bordering Taketa City) and Tokuyama in Yamaguchi Prefecture, only an hour and a half drive from Hiroshima City.  

SIGHTSEEING 

画像
Futago Temple - Futago-ji
画像
Kunisaki-Kitsuki Cycling Road
画像
Himeshima - Hime Island

FAMOUS FOODS

画像
Cutlass Fish
画像
Sake (Japanese Alcohol)
画像
Shiitake Mushrooms

画像
Dango jiru (Dumpling Soup)

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Musashi ホタルまつり
This is an annual festival held around June which is dedicated to hotaru, or firefly watching. It`s held towards the mountains in Musashi town and there are festival foods and performances by local school and community groups from the late afternoon until the early evening. Once the sun sets and it becomes dark, people will gather to watch the fireflies along the river side, which is a spectacular sight!

画像
Kebesu Festival
画像
Himeshima Bon Odori
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  • Home
  • AJET
    • Oita AJET >
      • Event Calendar
    • National AJET
    • Block 10
    • The ORC Team >
      • Contact
  • Working in Oita
    • The JET Programme
    • For First Year JETs >
      • Before you arrive >
        • Packing Advice - Bring
      • Shoes in Japan
      • Packing Advice - Leave
      • Senpai Advice >
        • Senpai Advice: Japanese Culture
      • Explaining the System >
        • Prefectural JETs
        • City Level JET's
    • Your First Month
    • Money
    • Contract Renewal
    • Visa Renewal
    • Conference and Orientation Materials
    • Teaching on JET >
      • The Japanese School System >
        • Elementary School
        • Junior High School/Middle School
        • High School
        • Kindergarten
        • School Events
        • Club Activities >
          • English Club
      • Oita Lesson Exchange
      • Senpai Advice: Work
    • Enkai (Work Functions)
    • Oita Support Network >
      • Prefectural Advisors >
        • What Prefectural Advisors Do
        • Current PAs
        • Past PAs
        • Check-ins
      • Regional Advisors
    • Social Media Guidelines
    • For Departing JETs
  • Living in Japan
    • Get Connected >
      • Mobile Phones
    • Getting Around
    • Driving in Oita
    • Learning Japanese
    • How do I.... >
      • {do X} at the Post Office?
      • Move within Japan
      • Take the GRE in Japan
      • Get my driver's license?
    • Cooking in Japan
    • Taxes
    • Embassies & Consulates
    • City Halls (Kouminkan)
    • Religious Services
    • Senpai advice
  • Health & Safety
    • Health >
      • Medical Facilities with English Support
      • JET Recommended Medical Facilties
      • Visiting the Doctor
      • Mental Health Resources
    • Disaster Preparedness >
      • How to Be Prepared for Disasters >
        • Emergency Pack
        • Be Disaster Ready
        • Stay Informed
        • Evacuation Centers
      • Disaster Procedures in Oita
      • Natural Disasters >
        • Earthquakes
        • Typhoons
        • Floods
        • Landslides
      • Terrorism >
        • Tensions with North Korea
      • Fire Safety
    • Travel Safety
  • Explore Oita
    • About Oita
    • Your local area >
      • Beppu
      • Bungo-ono
      • Bungo-takada
      • Hiji
      • Hita
      • Kitsuki
      • Kokonoe
      • Kunisaki
      • Kusu
      • Nakatsu
      • Oita City
      • Saiki
      • Taketa
      • Tsukumi
      • Usa
      • Usuki
      • Yufuin
    • Famous Foods >
      • Bungo beef
      • Toriten (Chicken Tempura)
      • Chicken Karaage (Deep Fried Chicken)
      • Horse Mackerel
      • Fugu (Blowfish)
      • Shiroshita Karei (Marbled Flounder)
      • Kabosu fed Amberjack and Halibut
      • Hamo (Conger Pike)
      • Ayu (Sweetfish)
      • Japanese Spiny Lobster
      • Hyuga Don (Tuna Donburi)
      • Sea Bream Ochazuke
      • Oysters
      • Suppon (Softshell Turtle)
      • Cutlass Fish
      • Kuruma shrimps (Tiger prawns)
      • Hitan Sushi
      • Saiki Sushi
      • Beppu Reimen
      • Yakisoba
      • Bungo-takada Soba (Buckwheat noodles)
      • Jigoku Mushi (Hell Steamed Food)
      • Jigoku Mushi Custard Pudding
      • Kokonoe Yume Burger (Kokonoe Dream Burger)
      • Dango jiru (Dumpling Soup)
      • Sake (Japanese Alcohol)
      • Kanta-kun (Sweet potatoes)
      • Kabosu citrus
      • Shiitake Mushroom
    • Festivals and Events >
      • Complete List of Festivals and Events
      • Ajimu Wine Festival
      • Awashima Park Flower Festival
      • Beppu Hatto Hot Spring Festival & Fire Festival
      • Beppu Hi no Umi Festival (Ocean Fire Festival)
      • Christmas Hanabi Fantasia (Christmas Fireworks Festival)
      • Eat Beef and Scream
      • Gaman Taikai
      • Hiji Curry Rally
      • Himeshima Bon Odori
      • Hina Doll Tour, Hiji Castle Town
      • Hina Doll Tour, Usuki
      • Hita Gion Festival
      • Hita Kawabiraki Tourism Festival (Hita Kankousai)
      • Hita Sennen Akari Festival
      • Hita Tenryo Festival
      • Horan Enya (Fisherman's Festival)
      • Japan Fairy Tale Festival
      • Kamegawa Summer Festival
      • Karaage Festival
      • Kebesu Festival
      • Kitsuki Castle Festival
      • Kitsuki Castle Town Walk and Hina Doll Tour
      • Kitsuki Moon Viewing Festival (Lantern Festival)
      • Koton Village Sakura Festival
      • Nakatsu Gion Festival
      • Nakatsu Hina Doll Festival
      • Oita International Wheelchair Marathon
      • Oita Tanabata (including Funai Pacchin Festival)
      • Oka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
      • Oka Castle Town Hina Doll Festival
      • Onta Pottery Festival (Onta-yaki Mentousai) Autumn
      • Onta Pottery Festival (Onta-yaki Mentousai) Spring
      • Oonogawa Battle Festival
      • Sanko Cosmos Festival
      • Shimanawa Rope Tying (Sacred Straw Rope Tying)
      • Shiroshita Karei Festival
      • Shujo Onie
      • Stone Buddha Fire Festival
      • Taketa Bamboo Festival
      • Taketa Ice-cream Rally
      • Tenjin Festival
      • Tenryo Hita Doll Festival
      • Tsukumi Minato Festival (Tsukumi Port Festival)
      • Tsukumi Traditional Fan Dance
      • Tulip Festa
      • Usa Mikoshi Festival (Usa Summer Festival)
      • Usuki Gion Festival
      • Usuki Takeyoi (Lantern Festival)
      • Wakamiya Hachiman Naked Festival
    • Onsen Culture >
      • What to expect
      • What to do
      • What to bring
      • Onsen Map
    • Meijiron
    • Sightseeing in Oita >
      • Nature >
        • Chinda Falls
        • Harajiri Falls
        • Himeshima - Hime Island
        • Honjyo Water wheel
        • Izumi Stone Caves
        • Jigoku Meguri - the Hells Tour
        • Kuju Mountain Range
        • Kunisaki-Kitsuki Cycling Road
        • Matama Beach
        • Mt Tsurumi
        • Mt Yufu - Yufudake
        • Olle Hike, Asaji - Taketa
        • Onagara Limestone Cave
      • Historical Sites >
        • Funai Castle Ruins
        • Hachimenzan Peace Park
        • Hiji Castle Ruins
        • Kitsuki Castle and Museum
        • Mameda Town
        • Nakatsu Castle
        • Nioza Historical Road
        • Oka Castle Ruins
        • Samurai Residences
        • Showa Town - Showa no machi
        • Usuki Stone Buddhas (National Treasure)
      • Temples and Shrines >
        • Bungo Futamigaura
        • Futago-ji
        • Fugen Temple - Fugen-ji
        • Gyoran no taki - Kappa Temple
        • Komo Shrine
        • Rakan Temple - Rakan-ji
        • Usa-jingu - Usa Shrine
      • Onsens and Spas >
        • Beppu Hatto Onsen
        • Hiji Spa Resorts
        • Kokonoe Yume Onsen Village
        • Nagayu Onsen
        • Yufu Ryokans
      • Theme parks and attractions >
        • Fundokin Soy Sauce Factory
        • Harmonyland
        • Kitsuki Historical Museum
        • Kitsuki Kimono Rental
        • Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge
        • Oita Station & AMU Plaza
        • OPAM - Oita Prefectural Art Museum
        • Sapporo Beer Factory
        • Shuraku-kan Theatre
        • Totoro Bus Stop
        • Umitamago Aquarium and Takasakiyama Monkey Park
        • Yaeko Nogomi Memorial Museum
      • Artisan Skills and Crafts >
        • Onta Pottery Village
    • Travelling outside Oita >
      • Travel Tips
      • Researching your Trip
      • Budget Carriers
    • Cherry Blossoms >
      • Senpai Sakura Reviews >
        • Oita Castle Ruins Park
        • Heiwa Shimin Park
        • Beppu Park
        • Mt Ogi Sakura Garden
        • Beppu Ropeway
        • Shidaka Lake
        • Kijima Kogan Park
    • Map
    • Photo Gallery
  • A Year in Oita
  • Resources
    • Useful Websites etc. >
      • Guide to JET Websites Around Japan
      • Helpful Websites
      • Online Shopping Sites
      • Smartphone Apps
    • FAQ