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Shirakawa town (Furuichi Kanaya district, Yanai City, designated as a traditional building preservation district)

山口県

general.prefecture.

Edo-style streetscape with white walls and lattice windows

This town was once prosperous as a storehouse for the Iwakura clan. Even now, the area north of the station is preserved as Shirakawa Street, retaining its appearance from that time. In addition to the beautiful white walls and lattice windows, you can catch a glimpse of folk culture and history, such as goldfish lanterns.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic TownscapeHistory

Highlights

Point 1

Beautiful White-walled Streets reminiscent of the past

Old houses with cobblestone streets and white walls. When you step into this nostalgic town, you'll feel like you've slipped back in time to a medieval townhouse. You can learn about history at the experience facilities, discover retro items at souvenir shops, and take a break from your everyday life by strolling leisurely and enjoying a healing time. Why not give it a try?

Point 2

Experience Local Food Culture at the Soy Sauce Museum

"Kanro Shoyu," a specialty of Yanai with a history of over 200 years, can be found at the Sagawa Shoyu Store, which was founded during the Edo period and continues to make rich and mellow Kanro Shoyu using traditional methods. Part of the brewery is open to the public as a museum, and depending on the season, you can even see the actual process of making soy sauce! Of course, you can also take home the rich-tasting soy sauce as a souvenir, but be sure to try the "Kanro Shoyu Gelato," which has a caramel-like flavor!

Point 3

Yanai's Summer is all About the "Goldfish Lantern Festival"

The "Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival," held every year on August 13th, is a major summer event in Yanai that attracts about 80,000 visitors. The cute and playful goldfish lanterns, with their vivid red and white colors, are Yanai's folk craft, inspired by the goldfish nebuta in Aomori Hirosaki during the end of the Edo period. Thousands of goldfish lanterns swim along the eaves, shining in the refreshing blue sky during the day, and transform into a fantastic atmosphere at night with the light of the lanterns.

Point 4

A Must-Visit for Strolling Around Town

The retro stone exterior, built in 1907, is a reused former Suo Bank headquarters building that now serves as a townscape museum, preserving its stately appearance from that time. The Matsushima Shiko Memorial Hall, an honorary citizen who left her mark on the world of popular songs, and a tourist information center are also located here. Not only can you tour the designated tangible cultural property building, but there are also town walking maps and models of the town, making it highly recommended to stop by here first.

Point 5

Get Lost in a Nostalgic Back Alley

In a corner of Yanai's white-walled townscape, there is a narrow alley called "Kakeya Koji," which is only one meter wide. This narrow path, which is said to have been named after a road that once connected the Kakeya, a wealthy merchant, to the Yanai River, allows you to slowly enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the town and reminisce about the past, while also feeling a sense of nostalgia. The unique atmosphere is also reflected in the warning signs standing here, so why not take a walk and discover it while feeling warm and cozy?

History

Strolling through the Edo-style White-walled Townscape

The Shiraki-no-machi district in Yanai City, which was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government in 1984, is a street that was once called the "Iwakuni Domain's O-Nando" during the Edo period, and was lined with merchant houses. Located just a 5-minute walk from JR Yanai Station, this district, where the Edo-period merchant town extends for about 200 meters, is one of Yanai City's representative tourist spots where you can feel the prosperity of the past while strolling around.

Parking

Shirakabe Townscape Tourist Parking Lot

A free parking lot located near the Shirakabe town area in Yanai City. From JR Yanai Station, head towards the Shirakabe town area, cross the Yanai River, and continue straight. The parking lot is located on the right-hand side just before the first traffic light, past the town museum. As the Shirakabe town area, which is the center of tourism, has densely packed houses, nearby parking lots may be opened or temporary parking lots may be set up during peak times.

Basic Information

Address

〒742-0022 Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Yanai Tsu Shirakawa town

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