Ao-no-domon Tunnel

OITA NATURE

This tunnel (or domon) located at the base of the towering Kyoshuho Ridge, facing the Yamakuni River, has been designated as a historic site of Oita Prefecture. The Buddhist priest Zenkai had taken pity on the frequent loss of the lives of men and horses from the chain of precipitous cliffs along the river, and began excavating this tunnel in 1730, completing it in 1763 after spending more than 30 years building it. It is said that he had excavated the tunnel in 30 years with only a chisel and mallet. It is said that tolls were collected from the people passing through after the tunnel opened, making this tunnel Japan's oldest toll road.