Bungo-Mori Roundhouse (Japanese: 豊後森機関庫, Hepburn: Bungo-Mori-Kikanko) was a railway roundhouse located to the east of Bungo-mori Station on the Kyūdai Main Line in Kusu, Ōita Prefecture, Japan.
 | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Location | 242-7 Iwamuro, Kusu, Kusu District, Ōita Prefecture, Japan 879-4405 |
| Characteristics | |
| Operator | Japanese National Railways |
| History | |
| Opened | 1934 |
| Closed | 1971 |
The roundhouse and its turntable, which operated from 1934 to 1971, were designated as a National Tangible Cultural Asset in 2012 as the last roundhouse in Kyushu.[1]
History
editBungo-Mori Roundhouse was completed in 1934 and was able to hold 25 steam locomotives at its peak around the year 1948.[2]
During the Second World War, Bungo-Mori Roundhouse was used for military transport.[2] It was strafed by carrier-based United States Military aircraft on August 4, 1945, killing three staff members.[2][3] Bullet holes can still be seen on the walls of the roundhouse.[2]
In 1970, the Kyūdai Main Line stopped using steam locomotives and Bungo-Mori Roundhouse was closed the following year.[2] The roundhouse, now with rusted steel frames and broken windows, is a historical landmark and a popular tourist destination.[1][3]
Sightseeing
editIn 2015, the JNR Class 9600 steam locomotive No. 29612, which was built in 1919, was moved from Shime, Fukuoka Prefecture to Bungo-Mori Roundhouse for preservation. It is now displayed in front of the roundhouse.[2]
A museum for the Bungo-Mori Roundhouse was created by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka in a renovated staff room to the west of the former roundhouse.[1]
In 2023, a door was erected in front of the roundhouse in a reference to the 2022 animated film Suzume.[4]
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JNR Class 9600-29612 in front of Bungo-Mori Roundhouse -
Bungo-Mori Roundhouse Museum -
Door at Bungo-Mori Roundhouse referencing the film Suzume
References
edit- ^ a b c "Bungo Mori Roundhouse". ANA. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "豊後森機関庫公園（国指定登録有形文化財 旧豊後森機関庫） - 玖珠町観光協会" (in Japanese). 2024-04-26. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ a b "Bungo Mori Roundhouse｜Oita Heritage｜120 beautiful heritage sites in Oita". oitaisan.com. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ Ohata, Shogo. "Town re-creates door from the hit movie 'Suzume no Tojimari'". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 24 September 2024.