Discover Hiji: Castle Culture, Hiking and Excursions

Hiji appeals to travellers who want to explore historic sites beyond castles: alongside the history of the Hiji Domain, you’ll find a former residence designated as an Important Cultural Property, a guided hike on the Xavier Trail, and a mini-cruise departing from the port. Tekizanso also offers kappō cuisine made with local ingredients. For planning your trip, you can choose according to your interests: would you like to visit cultural sites, take a guided tour with panoramic views, or see the landscape from the sea?

Traces of the Hiji Domain

Chido-kan was founded in 1858 as the school of the Hiji Domain, within the Ninomaru of Hiji Castle. It is the only surviving building of a domain school in Oita Prefecture. This makes Chido-kan a tangible point of reference for the history of the domain and its school. Those interested in the area’s past will find a distinctive link between the castle and the history of education here: the school was established within the Ninomaru, and its sole surviving building preserves this historical connection.

Another distinctive structure is Kimon Yagura, a two-storey watchtower at the northeastern corner of Hiji’s main castle. Its northeastern corner is cut away in the structure. This unusual architectural feature is worth looking out for when viewing the tower; its precise location also helps place the building within the castle grounds. The two storeys and cut-away corner give the tower a clearly defined profile, without requiring a lengthy explanation of its architecture.

Tekizanso also tells the story of a later period. The building was constructed between 1914 and 1915 as the residence of Hiroe Narikiyo. As the former residence of the Narikiyo family, it is designated a National Important Cultural Property of Japan. Its connection to a specific family and its construction date distinguish Tekizanso from Chido-kan: here, the focus is on an early 20th-century former residence, while Chido-kan is the only surviving building of a domain school in Oita Prefecture.

Local Information and Cuisine

Ninomaru-kan serves as a tourist information and community centre near Hiji Castle. Its facilities include a tourist information centre, a shop selling local specialities, a café, and an exhibition area. There are also toilets and free parking. If you’d like to get your bearings first, or include local products and an exhibition in your trip, you can make a note of this as a place to visit. The range of facilities makes Ninomaru-kan a useful stop for both information and a break.

One place to enjoy local cuisine in Hiji is Tekizanso, which serves kappō cuisine made with local ingredients. Dishes feature Shitagare flounder, Hiji hamachi, Seki-aji, Seki-saba, fugu, and Bungo beef. The selection ranges from several named types of fish to beef. If you’d like to sample local cuisine as well as visit historic sites, this offers a specific dining option to complement your cultural experiences. Tekizanso combines its role as a former residence with a culinary offering.

Hiking or Views from the Sea

A guided hike on the Xavier Trail leads to a summit with 360-degree panoramic views. The walk takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes each way. When planning your day, bear in mind that this time applies to one direction. This makes it easier to plan the tour without drawing conclusions about pace or difficulty from the duration alone. If you’re looking for an excursion with a guided route and far-reaching views, this hike is one of the activities to consider in Hiji.

A mini-cruise departing from Hiji Port offers a different perspective, with views of the Rokumeikoshi Mountains from the sea. The main difference between the hike and the cruise is the type of experience: a guided climb to a summit on the one hand, and views of the mountains from the water on the other. A holiday apartment in Hiji may suit travellers who want to plan their stay around cultural, nature, or coastal experiences like these. Which accommodation is right for you depends on your own travel plans; the activities described here offer different points of interest to help you decide.

For the broader travel overview: Hayami District.