On August 24, 2025, the Suga-o Stone Buddha Fire Festival took place in Mie-machi, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. At the “Rooster Crow Imitation Contest,” inspired by a local legend, participants imitated rooster calls in their own styles, filling the venue with smiles. On stage, the bold drumming of Toyukai and the dances of Matsuo Kagura were performed. In the latter half of the festival, a torch-throwing event called “Taima-nage” took place, in which flaming torches were thrown from below into a roughly 3-meter-high pine pillar to ignite it, and many children gave it a try. ■■■ Access to central Bungoono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■