Fan-shaped roundhouse, 1934, the only one in Kyūshū: the walls still bear holes from US machine guns.
Built in 1934 in reinforced concrete, on a fan-shaped plan around an 18.5 m turntable, with twelve radial tracks on a 48-metre radius: the only roundhouse of this kind still standing in Kyūshū. At its peak it was the base for 25 locomotives, with over 5,000 passengers a day. During the war it was strafed by American aircraft: the bullet holes are still visible on the walls. Recognised as heritage of industrial modernisation in 2009 and as a nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2012.
A disused railway depot, now a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. In the park there is also a small museum on the history of the roundhouse.
ℹ️ In front of the roundhouse, the town of Kusu has permanently installed replicas of the door and the three-legged chair: this is the site's main photo spot.
🚉 Bungo-Mori · 5 min walk
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The disused roundhouse is the model for the place where Suzume opens the first door, the one that starts it all.
Sources: seichimap.jp · tamapongift.com · kusumachi.jp
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