Chikuhi Mountains

Located in the northern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, between the Yabe River and the Kikuchi River, this low mountain range is highly dissected and forms part of the prefectural border with Fukuoka Prefecture. The highest mountain is Kunimiyama (1,018 meters above sea level), which is located at the seam with the Tsue Mountains to the east, and gradually decreases as you move westward. There are many mountain passes that show the connection between the north and south, and National Route 3 passes through Oguri Pass, which is in the center of the mountain range, and the Kyushu Expressway and National Route 443 run parallel to each other at Yamasuso Pass (approximately 90 meters above sea level) at the western end of the mountain range. At the eastern end, you can see the Tsukushi Agglomerate, which is older than the Aso Welded Tuff, but most of it is made up of Sanbagawa Metamorphic Rocks. This makes the valley floor wide, and greenhouse horticulture such as watermelon and strawberry cultivation has become widespread. Mandarin oranges, chestnut trees, and grapes can be seen in abundance on the gentle slopes, while cedar, cypress, and oak trees are also prominently planted on the steep slopes. In addition, the remains of castles can be found in the large dissected valleys, reminding us that they were once living spaces, and they are linked to other cultural ruins and natural landscapes, making them a popular recreational destination not only for local residents but also for the people of both Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures.

[Yamaguchi Morito]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

熊本県北部、矢部川と菊池川(きくちがわ)との間に位置する開析の進んだ低山地で、福岡県との県境の一部をなす。東接の津江山地との縫合部にあたる国見山(くにみやま)（標高1018メートル）がもっとも高く、漸次西進につれて低くなり、南北の交渉を示す峠道も多く、本山地の中央にあたる小栗(おぐり)峠には国道3号が通じ、さらに同西端の山裾(やますそ)（標高約90メートル）を九州自動車道と国道443号とが併走している。東端には、阿蘇(あそ)溶結凝灰岩より古い筑紫集塊岩(つくししゅうかいがん)がみられるが、そのほとんどは三波川変成岩(さんばがわへんせいがん)からなっている。このため谷底も広く、スイカ、イチゴなどのハウス園芸も浸透してきている。緩斜面にはミカン、クリ、ブドウなどが多くみられるほか、急斜面にもスギ、ヒノキ、クヌギなどの植林も目だつ。また、開析された大きな谷間には、かつて一つの生活空間であったことをしのばせるように、それぞれに城館跡があり、他の文化遺跡、自然景観とも結び付き、地元民だけでなく、福岡・熊本両県民のレクリエーションの対象地の一つとなっている。

［山口守人］

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