Yokaichi Gokoku

At Yakachi Gokoku, there is a town lined with merchant houses, townhouses, and storehouses built from the Edo period to the Taisho period, creating a relaxed atmosphere. It has been selected as an important traditional building preservation district by the country, and the townscape reflects the care that local residents have taken to preserve it. The retro townscape, which is not often seen in cities nowadays, is also great for taking photos!

The "Yokaichi Gokoku Machinami Hozon Center" serves as a base for the townscape preservation movement, where you can learn about the history and mechanisms of townscape preservation that are being carried out mainly by local residents. Yokaichi Gokoku has many distinctive buildings, and you can also see the structure of these buildings and the tools used to build them. Actual tools are also on display, and you can learn a lot by seeing them and realizing how they were used.

At the "Mokuroku Museum," a prominent yellow plaster building in Hachinohe Gokoku, you can visit the residence of the wealthy merchant "Kamiyoshi-ga-ya" from that time. Originally, Uchiko-cho was a town that prospered with Japanese wax made from wood wax, and this mansion was built during the peak of wood wax production. You can learn how wood wax was made through videos and models, so if you come to Hachinohe Gokoku, be sure to visit this spot!

At Omori Warousoku-ya, you can purchase Japanese candles made using traditional techniques that have been passed down since the Edo period. These candles are made by craftsmen who have continued the tradition for six generations, using only natural materials to carefully craft each candle. The gentle, warm light they emit makes them perfect for lighting at the end of a day or during a relaxing break. Why not take some home as a souvenir?

There are several cafes around the Hachiman-gu Shrine area, but one that is highly recommended is "Cafe Denjiro." It's actually the filming location for the morning drama "Tabiya Okaeri." The cafe makes use of an old Japanese house, and in addition to light snacks such as coffee and cheesecake, you can also enjoy a hearty lunch. The atmosphere matches the surrounding streets, so be sure to visit!