Guide to each city, town and village
Taketa city, in southwest Oita prefecture, is surrounded by the kuju mountains, Mt. Aso, Sobo Mountain, and Katamuki Mountain (all thousand meter peaks), and rests amid a variety of beautiful landscapes--Taketa Spring Waters and the Kuju plateau, to name only two.
Taketa, an Edo era castle town, maintains among its many historic sites Oka jyou-ato ( castle ruin) , and the old Taketa mansion (formerly the residence of a renowned scholar and painter). Together, these and other locations evoke the feel of Edo era Japan.
Taketa government and people recently moved to the city supported the construction of many galleries and shops which were recreated from old houses and have become popular tourist destinations.
From Fukuoka
Approx. 50 minutes from Mera IC on Naka Kyushu Express way to the castle town of Taketa
From Kumamoto
About 60 Minutes via Yamanami Highway from Kumamoto IC~ Aso IC
From Miyazaki District
About 1 hour 10 minutes from Takachiho via National Road No. 325 ~ National Road 57
From Hakata station /Kokura station
After coming to Oita station by JR Express Sonic, transfer to Kyushu Crossing Express to Bungo Taketa Station
From Kumamoto Station To Bungo Taketa Station by the Kyushu Crossing Express
[For those using a bus from Kumamoto]
Approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes to the Bungo Taketa Station from Aso Kumamoto Airport by Express Bus "Yamabiko"