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A Stroll Through The 400-Year-Old Castle Town Of Tamba-Sasayama
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The main road of Tamba-Sasayama, Hyogo is the same as it was 400 years ago, giving the town its Japan Heritage designation. Step into town and you can set out on a journey back in time to the days of olden Japan.
Written by
Originally from Chiayi, Taiwan, I majored in history in university. I'm a history geek and otaku living in an old downtown area of Tokyo. I have worked as a journalist for a Taiwanese business magazine, public relations manager for Mos Burger Taiwan, and as a marketer of American skin products in Taiwan. Currently working as a freelance of writer. Visiting castles in my free time.
As a storyteller, I only write about things that I saw, heard, and researched myself. Every word of my articles reflects what I personally thought and felt.
If you have some time, do read some of my stories.
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3. Samurai Residences: Traces of the Samurai Lifestyle
The Sasayama Samurai Residences located west of Sasayama Castle were once where the samurai lived. Among them is a residence known as the Samurai Residence Anma Family Historical Archive Hall.
The Sasayama Samurai Residences are also famous as a photography spot. Take a photo while wearing a kimono together with the atmosphere of the building and you’ll be able to take a photo that reflects the spirit of the period.
Hotels near Samurai Residence Anma Family History Museum
4. Aoyama Historical Village Tamba-Sasayama Dekansho Museum
Photo courtesy of: Sasayama City
Aoyama Historical Village was the villa of the Aoyama Family, who once governed over Sasayama, and is now a history museum. The museum exhibits books related to the Aoyama Family and also contains the Tamba-Sasayama Dekansho Museum which exclusively introduces the traditional festivals of Sasayama.
In 2015, Sasayama submitted the Dekansho songs to become a Japan Heritage and were successful. It is now recognized as “Tamba-Sasayama Dekansho Songs – Hometown Memories Passed Down in Folk Songs.”
Dekansho songs are songs sung during Bon festival dances in the Sasayama district and is said to date back to the Edo period. The songs represent the farmers, who worked hard throughout the year, who only had this day to rest, as they sang songs and genuinely enjoyed themselves all day long.
Photo courtesy of: Sasayama City
The lyrics incorporate Sasayama Castle and the specialties, culture, and crafts of Sasayama. As the songs are sung, we are able to come to understand various things that occurred during those times while also learning about history.
Dekansho songs are performed annually on August 15th and 16th at the Sasayama Castle ruins. Locals sing these songs while also passing down their history through song to the next generation.
Hotels near Tamba Sasayama City Aoyama History Village
5. Homei Sake Brewery Horoyoi Jokakura: Get Tipsy in a Castle Town
After listening to the history of Sasayama, let’s go and enjoy a taste of that history! Homei Sake Brewery was established in the Edo period and is a sake brewery with 200 years of history.
Its location and facilities have been maintained to appear the same as they did in those days. You can see both the wisdom and process behind brewing sake as they did in those days as well.
You can sample local sakes from various places here. Sample plenty of sake and find your favorite one!
Hotels near Otori Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. Tipsy Castle Warehouse
6. Kawaramachi Mercantile Houses District: Take Another Trip Through Time
Photo courtesy of: Sasayama City
After enjoying Sasayama’s local sake, let’s stroll through the Kawaramachi Mercantile Houses District!
Situated east of Sasayama Castle is a shopping district that is approximately 500m in length. Traditional houses from the Edo period stand in rows on either side in this district.
“Tsumairi” is an architectural style that consists of an entrance perpendicular to the roof of the building.
The traditional townscape of Sasayama is protected, making it feel as if you’ve arrived in the olden world once you’ve stepped into the city. If there are architectures made with both wood and white plaster walls, then there are also traditional wooden Japanese houses.
Small, elaborately designed shops appear as if they are hiding, almost like they’re playing hide-and-seek. They’re surely waiting to be discovered by you!
The general store Hakutoya is an old Japanese home with 200 years of history. The shopkeeper is a bright woman from Kobe. This old Japanese home captured her interest and she now commutes every day for three hours to work.
The products in the store are filled with goods from all over the world including Europe, America, and Africa. Of course, they also sell handicrafts from all over Japan.
General goods match well with the ambience of an old Japanese home and mesmerizes those that love miscellaneous Japanese goods. This is one shop that you can’t miss.
Don’t forget to take a photo of the shopping district! The combination of the waning afternoon sun, kimono, stone pavement, and old Japanese homes is beautiful. This is a scene that you are rarely able to see even in Japan. You’ll surely want to use this photo as your profile picture on social media!
Hotels near Kawaramachi Tsumairi Merchant House Group
7. Oujiyama Inari Shrine: Sasayama’s Senbon Torii
Oujiyama Inari Shrine is located near Kawaramachi’s Mercantile District. This shrine, where a countless number of red torii gates have been placed from the entrance to the main shrine, is also called Makekirai Inari.
Eight sumo wrestlers, all claiming to be from Sasayama, appeared in Edo (Tokyo’s former name) during the Edo period and won many consecutive victories. Legend says that upon researching the names of the eight individuals, all of whom had disappeared after their matches, their names were discovered to be the same as the gods of this particular Inari Shrine, resulting in the shrine becoming a spiritual spot.
Hotels near Ojiyama Makekirai Inari
Journey to Experience Japan's Traditions in Sasayama
Take a step into the city and your feet will mysteriously become lighter. It is here where you can easily experience the great, traditional atmosphere of Japan. If you’re interested in traditional sceneries, then definitely please visit Sasayama.
To learn more about Tamba-Sasayama please visit this website: https://visit.sasayama.jp/
* This article was translated and revised from an article originally in traditional Chinese.
Originally from Chiayi, Taiwan, I majored in history in university. I'm a history geek and otaku living in an old downtown area of Tokyo. I have worked as a journalist for a Taiwanese business magazine, public relations manager for Mos Burger Taiwan, and as a marketer of American skin products in Taiwan. Currently working as a freelance of writer. Visiting castles in my free time.
As a storyteller, I only write about things that I saw, heard, and researched myself. Every word of my articles reflects what I personally thought and felt.
If you have some time, do read some of my stories.
more
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