'''Tsuwano''' (___a____) [http://hometown.infocreate.co.jp/en/chugoku/tsuwano/tsuwan-e.html] is a town in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It's on the border with Yamaguchi Prefecture. It's sometimes refered to as "Little Kyoto" and is well known for having tens of thousands of ''koi'' (carp) that live in the narrow canals that run through town, mostly in the Tonomachi area.

Get in

By Plane

'''Hagi-Iwami Airport'''(IWJ) is in Masuda City, about a 40 min. drive away.

By Train

JR Yamaguchi Line runs through Tsuwano. Much of the year a train pulled by a steam locomotive (''SL Yamaguchi-g?'') built in the early 1900s that runs once a day on weekends (daily in July and August) between Shin-Yamaguchi station and Tsuwano.

There are six incoming and six outgoing trains each day (3 local and 3 super ooki in each direction).

By Bus

There are buses to and from local and regional destinations. There are also overnight buses to some large cities such as Osaka and Tokyo (Shinjuku Station New South exit).

Get around

Much of Tsuwano can be easily accessed by foot. There are some bicycles for rent across the street from Tsuwano Station and usually there are several taxi's waiting in front of the station as well.

See

Districts

  • '''Tonomachi''' - This is the main site seeing road with numerous shops and some old samurai houses. One the side of the main Tonomachi streets are canals lined with large carp. There are also numerous food and product stands.
  • '''Tsuwano-jo Castle Ruins''' - It was built around 1325 and used until the Meiji Restoration (around 1868). The stone bases for the various parts of the castle and its fortifications is pretty much all that remains. From the top the valley of Tsuwano and Tsuwano town can be seen. The easiest way to get there is to take the chair lift that is located on the same mountain near Taikodani Inari Jinja.
  • Shrines, Temples and Other Religous Buildings

  • '''Tsuwano Catholic Church''' - a nice church with tatami mat floors and if you go on a fine day the sunshine shines through the stained glass windows; very good for photos. You can also pick up a copy, for a small fee, of the story of the Otome-Toge Matyrs. Carp food is also available to buy.
  • '''Chapel of Saint Maria''' - In the area know as Otome-toge behind the station. This is where 36 Japanese christians were martyed during the Meiji Period. The small church unlike Tsuwano Catholic Church is a memorial and in western style. The area does however get quite dark at night.
  • '''Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine''' - One of the 5 great Inari(Fox deity) shrines. Built in 1773 by Tsuwano's seventh generation feudal lord Kamei Norisada to enshrine a share of the spirit worshipped at the Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. It has a great view over the town. You can drive to the temple or walk up the mountain-side through over a thousand bright read torii (gates). It is a great place to bring in the new year if you have nothing to do around midnight on December 31st.
  • '''Washibara Hachiman-gu Shrine''' - a small shrine on the edge of town. It has archery contests on the 2nd of April. It is a pleasant walk through the garden.
  • '''Yomei-ji Temple''' - Built in 1420, it is one of the 2 great Soto sect temples. It was the family temple for many of the Tsuwano feudal lords and has the Mori Ogai's grave.
  • Other Places of Interest

  • '''Anno Museum of Art''' - Art museum that specialises in Mitsumasa Anno, who was born in Tsuwano. There is also a planetarium, a reproduction of Anno's home studio space and an old 1930's style elementary school classroom.
  • '''Hori Tei-en''' - While not near the center of town, this is a great place to visit. The residence of the Hori family, the estate consists of a main building, a very beautiful garden, and guest house. Open 8AM-5PM. (9AM-4PM during winter season). From Tsuwano station take the Iwami Kotsu Bus for Nagano. Get off at Hori Teien (23 min.)
  • '''Katsushika Hokusai Museum of Art''', Tonomachi Road. A small, but nice Hokusai museum. Hokusai is the artist that made 2 of the most famous ''ukiyo-e'' (woodblock print) pictures. English language books about Hokusai are available at the front desk. Entrance fee is about 500 yen.
  • Do

  • '''SL Train''' - Two authentic early 1900's steam locomotives run once daily (only 1 train a day) on weekends and on national holidays (except in the winter) from Shin Yamaguchi (formerly Ogori) station to Tsuwano and back. It only stops for about three hours in Tsuwano before returning to Shin Yamaguchi station.
  • '''April - Yabusame''' In the spring, when the Cherry blossums are in bloom, men in bright outfits take part in a horseback archery festival in front of Washibara-hachiman-gu Shrine, about 4 kms from Tsuwano station.
  • '''May 3 - Otome-toge Festival''' A procession from Tsuwano Catholic Church in Tono-machi to Maria Cathedral at Otome-toge Pass is followed by a mass at the square in front of the cathedral.
  • '''July 20, 24, 27 - Gion Festival''' Men in white bird outfits perform graceful dances to the music of bells, flutes and drums. This festival is held to worship the gods at Yasaka Shrine. At the same time, another group made up of young children in costumes proceed along Tonomachi, the station vicinity, and the city outskirts.
  • '''August 15 - Bon Odori''' A black scarf, white head band, white short kimono, and black tights are worn by Tsuwano Odori dancers. This dance began in the Muromachi period (1336 - 1573) in memory of the dead and is now recognized as an intangible cultural asset of Shimane Prefecture.
  • Buy

    There are at least 3 sake factories, 2 of which are on Tonomachi road. Tsuwano has made washi (paper) for hundreds of years. The souvenir shops sell many kinds of paper and dolls made of paper. There is also a shop near Tsuwano High School that makes paper in the traditional way. For a fee, you can make some paper yourself and keep what you made. The souvenir shops also sale various kinds of traditional pickles. Tsuwano also sells Genji-maki, a kind of pancake wrapped around sweet beans.

    Eat

    Many visitors come through on tour buses, so most restaurants serve lunches but close early in the evening. If you are staying overnight in Tsuwano and your accommodation does not include meals, take care not to leave eating until too late.

  • '''Pomme Souffle''', is an Italian restaurant with delicious and authentic Italian appetizers, pizzas, pasta, and pastries, as well as a large collection of international liquors. This is one of the few restaurants open past 6PM.
  • '''Furusato''', is a small restaurant opposite the post office near the Tonomachi district. There are western style tables or Japanese. At this restuarnt you can order a locally speciality of Uzume-meshi, which is a soupy rice dish served with wasabi small pieces of mountain vegetables and tofu.
  • Drink

    Sleep

    '''Koraku''' (_K_y) is a somewhat run down ryokan hotel where little seems to have changed since the early 1960s. It definitely has character, but sadly few guests. Go up the main street from the station and turn left just after the hospital. Tel. 0856-72-0501. \10,500 for a tatami style room with attached toilet and bath including breakfast only.
  • Noren Meigetsu. amazingly nice ryokan. Includes breakfast and dinner. Some rooms have own bath; others just use the ofurou.

    Get out

  • Hagi
  • Yamaguchi city