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Stroll Through Stone-Paved Slopes and Samurai Residences in Edo-Era Charm

About this spot

Kitsuki is known nationwide as a rare "sandwich-style castle town," where samurai residence districts occupy the northern and southern highlands with merchant quarters squeezed in the valley between—a unique topography still visible today. Particularly, Suoya Slope and Shioya Slope feature beautifully maintained stone-paved paths where views from the top show tiled roofs and Morie Bay overlapping in quintessentially Kitsuki fashion. Stop by open samurai residences such as the Ohara and Nomi Residences while walking slowly to feel the traces of the Edo period. Summer shadows along the alleyways make for surprisingly cool and pleasant walking.

Fireworks details

Name: 杵築市納涼花火大会

Date & time: 8/16 (Sun) Time TBA

Venue: 杵築市・塩田特設会場（杵築市海浜夢公園）

Shells: approx. 3,000

杵築市納涼花火大会は、守江湾に面した塩田特設会場（杵築市海浜夢公園）から打ち上げられる夏の夜の祭典です。約3,000発の花火が穏やかな守江湾の夜空に次々と開き、海面に映る光の帯が幻想的な情景を生み出します。周囲を山と海に囲まれた湾のロケーションで、花火の音が水面に響く臨場感は格別。城下町の歴史と海辺の花火を1日で楽しんだこのコースのクライマックスにふさわしい、大分の夏を締めくくる一夜です。

Tips

開催時間は大会公式発表で事前に確認してください(本情報執筆時点では時間未定)。荒天時の開催可否も公式SNSや杵築市の発表をご確認ください。終了後は周辺道路と駐車場が混雑するため、花火終了後しばらく会場で余韻を楽しんでから移動すると渋滞を避けやすくなります。帰りの足元が暗いため、スマートフォンのライトなどを用意しておきましょう。

Food stalls

Food stalls: Yes

※Announced for 2026. Stall lineups change year to year. Please check the official site for the latest details.

Turn this into a day plan with stall time included

Source: hanabi.walkerplus.com

Tips

Immediately accessible on foot from Kitsuki Castle. Stone pavements become slippery when wet, so wear appropriate shoes. Some samurai residences have paid entry (a few hundred yen). Summer afternoons have intense sun, so bring a hat and water. Exploration maps are available at Kitsuki City Tourism Association and castle town information centers.