Tsukahara Highlands, Grassland plateau in Yufu, Japan
The Tsukahara Highlands form a grassland plateau on gentle slopes at 600 meters elevation near Mount Yufu. The terrain spreads across several kilometers with open meadows, natural vegetation, and views toward the surrounding mountains.
This highland was the first location where livestock farming took root in Oita Prefecture, marking an important chapter in the region's past. Small farms on the slopes still maintain this agricultural heritage that shaped the landscape over centuries.
The Amazake Festival held in December at nearby Kirishima Shrine celebrates the yearly harvest with sweet rice wine prepared for religious offerings and community gatherings. This celebration ties local people to seasonal rhythms and shared traditions that continue through the years.
The main hiking route to Mount Yufu takes about two and a half hours to climb and two hours to descend. The path is well-marked and suitable for those with moderate fitness levels.
Ninety-nine mysterious mounds dot the landscape and are tied to a local folklore tale. A demon supposedly tried to build one hundred mounds in a single night but failed to complete the final one before dawn broke.
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