The Kunisaki Peninsula (å½æ±åÂÂ島, Kunisaki Hantà Â) is a peninsula in northern à Âita Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan that juts out into the Seto Inland Sea. The peninsula is almost circular. There is Mount Futago (, Futago-san) in the central part of the peninsula.
On the Kunisaki Peninsula, there are several mountain valleys which radiate from the centrally located Mount Futago outwards toward the surrounding sea. Beginning 1,300 years ago, these areas were divided into six sections. Many temples were constructed in this area and the area developed a unique religious culture. The temples and the unique culture of these valleys is referred to as Rokugà  Manzan (å ÂéÂᾼÂå±±). This culture is said to be the birthplace of Shinbutsu-shà «gà  (ç¥Âä»Âç¿ÂÃ¥ÂÂ), or the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism.
Some of the influences of Shinbutsu-shà «gà  can be seen in the many Rokugà  Manzan Tendai sect temples. The Rokugà  Manzan temples' Shinto elements originated from the influences of nearby Usa Jingà «, the head shrine of Hachiman shrines in Japan. Usa Jingà «, which is located in Usa at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula, was itself influenced by Buddhist elements. In fact, the former Usa Hachimangu-ji (å®Âä½Â堫幡宮寺) which was at the site of the present-day Usa Jingà « is said to be the earliest example of Jingà «-ji, or "mixed shrine-temple complex."
The most central of the Rokugà  Manzan temples is Futago-ji (両åÂÂ寺ï¼Âwhich is more than 1,300 years old and is located on Mount Futago. Other important Buddhist temples and sites in the area include:
The Kunisaki Peninsula is known for its mountain climbs and hiking trails. The Kunisaki Hantou Minemichi Long Trail (å½æ±åÂÂ島峯éÂÂãÂÂã³ã°ãÂÂ㋤ã«), or simply "The Kunisaki Long Trail," is a well-known 134 kilometer-long hiking route which is located on the peninsula. Hikers may choose to do the trail in its entirety or sections of it. The trail, which has been used by monks for hundreds of years, leads hikers to many of the peninsula's most notable landmarks (primarily its temples).During the trek, many stone Buddhist statues can be seen. It is said that more than half of all stone statues in Japan are located on the Kunisaki Peninsula. The trail also includes a climb of theàMount Futago, the tallest mountain on the peninsula.
Oita Airport is located in the southeastern part of the peninsula on reclaimed land in Kunisaki.
The JR Kyushu Nippà  Main Line is runs through the base of the peninsula.
Japan National Route 10 runs through the base of the peninsula. Japan National Route 213 runs along the coast of the peninsula.
The Suonada Ferry Company () runs a car ferry between Tokuyama, Yamaguchi Prefecture (located on Honshu) and Takedatsu on the Kunisaki Peninsula.
A hovercraft which connected Oita Airport on the peninsula to à Âita City until it was suspended in 2009 is planned to resume service in fall of 2024.
Regular ferries connect the island of Himeshima, which is located just off the coast of the peninsula, to a port in Imi on the Kunisaki Peninsula.