Kyushu 2023 - Kunisaki Makiodo

Kunisaki area was quite an ancient Buddhist area, and there were many stone carvings and signs that can be found here. Our next stop is kinda like an ancient archeological site. The front of it was just by the road, and we were greeted with this cute stone guarding on our way in.

There was also a more modern looking sign next to it.

Here is the start of the ancient culture park. It was fun looking out for stone statue to photograph.

Some has signs next to them telling you a little bit about the piece.

Stone lanterns. 

But some were just random, and I'm pretty sure this little guy here is no ancient at all! Probably part of a souvenir left here. 

The stone carving were actually nice to to look at. I always find it much more interesting to see things as they are, where they were mean to be, instead of seeing them in a museum somewhere. 

I wished we had more time to explore here, but this wasn't actually the main thing we came to see here. We were here to see the ancient Buddhist wooden carving at the main hall, which was actually at the front of the temple. The cultural park was just a side attraction!

This may be a grave perhaps? Of someone important or a monk?

The usual stairs leading to God.....

National treasure, the huge iron bell.

And the shrine at the top.

Inside the shrine on top, photographs were allowed inside, so above is what it looked like. But the actual ones in the main shrine were kept in darkness with minimum sun light inside to preserved the wood carving and colours. If you want to see what they looked like, just google "Makiodo" and click on image search to view. They were pretty impressive.

Some grave behind the temple. I find graves very peaceful to be around.

The fields directly across the temple entrance. It was so lovely and peaceful. You wouldn't have guess if you drove passed that here lies ancient treasures in the temple. I have zero regrets joining this tour!

A traditional hut nearby. Love the window design and the seat. 

And scarecrows! So many of them all over the place. They do looked kinda spooky. These I do not find peaceful to look like! They do not spark joy in me! But they were unique, so I took a few photos. There are some villages in Japan that are just inhabited by scarecrows! And they probably come alive at night too!