Ao-no-Domon Tunnel (Yabakei)
Open by month
Open in January. No seasonal closure recorded. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Open in February. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in March. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in April. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in May. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in June. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in July. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in August. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in September. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in October. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in November — at its best. Hand-chiselled sections and light windows inside the tunnel.
Open in December. No seasonal closure recorded. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Checked against the official site on 2026-10-12.
A tunnel cut by hand by the monk Zenkai over some 30 years until 1764, at the foot of the Kyoshuho rock peaks in the Yabakei valley.
Nearby
- Nakatsu Castle ≈ 35 min by car
- Hitome Hakkei (Shin-Yabakei) ≈ 40 min by car
- Usa Jingu Shrine ≈ 45 min by car
- Mt. Hiko (Hikosan) ≈ 55 min by car
- Former Bungo-Mori Roundhouse ≈ 55 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Best time
- November — Hand-chiselled sections and light windows inside the tunnel
- Getting there
- About 25 min by car from JR Nakatsu Station
Easier with a tour or car - Fee
- Free
- Good to know
- Since Apr 2026 the tunnel road is open to pedestrians only; vehicles still barred
- Time needed
- 1 h
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-12. Report outdated info