Chokushi Kaido Road

The Chokushi Kaido is a roughly one-kilometer ceremonial road leading to Usa Jingu Shrine, historically used by imperial messengers delivering offerings and prayers on behalf of the emperor. The route once formed part of a longer trade road through northeastern Kyushu, though the name now applies only to the section between the Kesho Ido Wells and the Kurehashi Bridge. A chokushi is still dispatched here once every ten years for the Rinji Hobeisai ritual, partly on foot along this road in honor of tradition. Renovated in 2020, the road was repaved in cobblestone and original paving stones unearthed during excavation are now set decoratively in front of Hyakutai Shrine.