Hakkaku Tunnel 八角トンネル photo spot
About Hakkaku tunnel
Coming across the Hakkaku tunnel feels a little like encountering the ancient ruins of a futuristic civilisation. The structure is over 100 years old yet due to it’s unique design it has an odd sci-fi feel to it. Some people say it feels like if you pass through it you will be transported to another dimension. The reason for its octagonal design is unknown but it was designed to protect the railroad from rock falls from the steep cut through. The tunnel itself consists of a series of seven imposing octagonal structures with openings in between. Light filters through these opening casting interesting shadows and an almost eerie atmosphere
Getting to Hakkaku Tunnel
Hakkaku Tunnel is located in Misato town: a small mountain town south east of Kumamoto City, there is no train line any more but Misato can be accessed by bus from Kumamoto city. The bus journey takes around 90 minutes and costs around 1000 Yen one way. The nearest stop to Hakkaku tunnel is Komushiro, from there it is a 4 minute walk. If you have a rail pass, another route is to take a train on the Kagoshima Line down to Matsubase (just over 20 minutes from Kumamoto city) and from there get a bus which takes around half an hour. In this case get off the bus at the Fukushihoken Center Mae bus stop, from there Hakkaku tunnel is a 5 minute walk.
Of course if you want to explore more and see other sites in the area the best way to visit Hakkaku Tunnel is by car or on a tour. By car it takes around 45 minutes from central Kumamoto. (If you are interested in a tour please feel free to contact Explore Kumamoto for a quote)
The tunnel is marked from the road with a couple of small wooden signs with the name Hakkaku Tunnel written in Japanese. 八角トンネル. These can be difficult to spot so look out for signs in English to the Futamata Kyo bridges. The google map location for Hakkaku Tunnel is https://goo.gl/maps/b3wY4RzNahRxdmd48
Arriving at Hakkaku tunnel
There’s a spacious parking area by the side of the road and a path marked with a small sign leads from the end of the car park. (Parking and access to the tunnel are free of charge.) The tunnel is 200m down this leafy path, actually the remains of the old railroad which ran from Kumamoto city to Misato town and closed in 1964. The route is flat and easy to walk and within a couple of minutes you will arrive at the tunnel itself.
- Parking is free
- Open 24/7
- Komushiro, Misato, Shimomashiki District, Kumamoto 861-4411
nearby .... you can also visit Futamata Kyo stone bridges
Just a short walk away is another interesting spot popular with couples; Misato’s famed Futamata Kyo bridges; where you can see 4 historical bridges crossing over a fork where two rivers meet and if you are lucky a heart shaped shadow will form below one of the bridges.
Other Misato Town sightseeing spots
Forest Adventure Misato
Forest Adventure Misato is set in a beautiful Japanese cedar forest next to the Midorikawa Dam to the south of Kumamoto City. The main course is the Adventure Course which takes around 2 hours to complete