Here are some of my favorite hidden spots in Nanbu Town.
Koshikiyama Burial Mounds
Located in Ogina, Nanbu Town, and Ono, Hōki Town, these burial mounds date from the Jōmon to Kofun periods. Excavations have revealed pit dwellings and settlement remains.
Tsuruda's Saino-kami
The Saino-kami involves offering straw horses to the deity, Saino-kami, to bring good fortune and blessings.
Tsuruda's Samurai Graves
These are the remains of battlefields where samurai once fought.
Akatani's Shell Eating Story
Akatani, a village in the mountainous region of Nanbu Town, has a humorous local story. The villagers, having never seen large shells before, mistakenly ate the shells themselves, discarding the meat. This tale reflects the village's deep connection to the mountains and their limited exposure to the outside world.
O-fuda (Sacred Slips)
While driving through Nanbu Town, you might notice sacred slips (o-fuda) placed along the roadside. These are remnants from a time when typhoid fever was prevalent, and communities erected these slips at village entrances as protective barriers. They are a testament to the villagers' faith and resilience.
Basara's "Mōshiage"
In Basara, an ancient tradition involves offering a straw snake to the water deity. This practice, still preserved today, is a rare example of customs that have been lost in other villages.