In Shogun period (Edo era 1603-1867) Hita was a directly controlled area called "Tenryo（天領 てんりょう）". In other words, Edo Bakufu Shogun governed Hita instead of local Daimyo (head of samurai). With the help of good access to vicinity cities such as Kumamoto, Hakata, Nakatsu, Edo government appointed "Saigoku-suji Gundai (西国筋郡代 さいごくすじ ぐんだい)" that means "Respresentative local government of western Japan".
With this historic background and rich water source from geographical, natural advantage, Hita was developed well throughout Shogun period.
Every year Hita had held a ritual called "Saigoku-suji Gundai Chakunin Gyoretsu 西国筋郡代着任行列 さいごくすじ ぐんだい ちゃくにん ぎょうれつ" that means a welcoming ritual for new governor of Hita.
After Meiji great restoration in 1868, main transportation has been transfered to ship from horse. Hita had lost its authority and advantage year by year, now only old street called "Mameda-machi 豆だ町 まめだまち (soybean field town)" remains as it used to be.
To keep and memorize the great tradition in Shogun era, Hita people has held Saigoku-suji Gundai Chakunin Gyoretsu ritual with wearing the same costume with Shogun era. Now this festival is called "Hita Tenryo Matsuri 日田天領まつり" that means "Shogun city festival of Hita". Only on this day, businessmen and government officers wear traditional costume to entertain visitors, to show children how great Hita history was.
However, no event had been held in the evening time on Hita Tenryo Matsuri. In 2004, Mameda-machi was appointed as "Historic street area" by Japanese government, and Hita city had some coastal protection projects in Katsuki-gawa river. With the help of government, Hita city could rebuild its old traditional street.
In the fisining ritual of this project, Hita people decorated water front area with bamboo lighting because Hita has been famous for its rich forest resouces, and people thanked the benefit from forest. The bamboo lighting was held with hope of local people "Light up our great past and wishful future for 1000 years!", therefore the bamboo lighting festival was named "Hita Sennen Akari 日田千年あかり" means Hita 1000 years light festival.
Now every year businessmen, retired aged people, office workers, even children prepares for bamboo and candle to welcome guests come from all over Japan.
How to get to here By railroad By limited express "Yufuin-no-mori", "Yufu-DX" on JR Kyudai Line, about 1 hour and 50 minutes from Oita, about 1 hours and 20-25 minutes from Hakata.
From Hita station to Mameda-machi area : Taxi 630 yen (1.2 km)
Special Thanks for Mr.Shu Kinoshita : HITA Tourism Office
เมือง Hita มีเวปไซด์ภาษาอังกฤษแล้ว คลิกเลย Hita City
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