Bungo-Mori Roundhouse

Bungo-Mori Roundhouse
Location
Location242-7 Iwamuro, Kusu, Kusu District, Ōita Prefecture, Japan 879-4405
Characteristics
OperatorJapanese National Railways
History
Opened1934
Closed1971

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.

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

Bungo-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

In 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]

  • JNR Class 9600-29612 in front of Bungo-Mori Roundhouse
    JNR Class 9600-29612 in front of Bungo-Mori Roundhouse
  • Bungo-Mori Roundhouse Museum
    Bungo-Mori Roundhouse Museum
  • Door at Bungo-Mori Roundhouse referencing the film Suzume
    Door at Bungo-Mori Roundhouse referencing the film Suzume

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bungo Mori Roundhouse". ANA. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b "Bungo Mori Roundhouse｜Oita Heritage｜120 beautiful heritage sites in Oita". oitaisan.com. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  4. ^ Ohata, Shogo. "Town re-creates door from the hit movie 'Suzume no Tojimari'". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 24 September 2024.

33°16′52″N 131°09′31″E / 33.2810°N 131.1585°E / 33.2810; 131.1585