Kawauchi Pass

Overview

Kawauchi Pass is located in Onoo-machi, Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture, just past the Hirado Ohashi Bridge. From the summit, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Ninety-Nine Islands, the Genkai Sea, and the islands of Iki and Tsushima. A vast grassland, 6.4 times the size of Tokyo Dome, spreads across the pass. Every early February, a controlled burn takes place, creating a breathtaking spectacle of flames. This traditional burning practice, carried out for generations, is intended to maintain the grassland and control pests. The poet Yoshii Isamu was captivated by this scenery and composed a poem, "yamakiyoku umi uruwashi to tataetsutsu tabibito ware ya Hirado yoku mimu," which is inscribed on a monument erected near the summit's observation point. You can immerse yourself in Yoshii Isamu's poetic world while enjoying the view. Kawauchi Pass is also home to the "Shioageishi," a stone associated with Owatari Choja. Owatari Choja was a retainer of the Matsuura family, the feudal lords of Hirado, and made significant contributions to the prosperity of Hirado. The "Shioageishi" is said to be a stone used to transport salt by Owatari Choja. Kawauchi Pass offers a blend of breathtaking scenery, historical significance, and natural beauty. Be sure to stop by when visiting Hirado.