This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
During the Edo period, Yurihonjo city was home to three domains: Yashima Domain , Kameda Domain , and Domain flourished as a port of call for Kitamaebune ( ships from the northern part of
During the Meiji Restoration, the three domains, along with the Kubota Domain (Akita Domain), were caught up in a civil war with the Shonai Domain, which supported the former Edo Shogunate, as part of the new government forces, and suffered great damage
During the Boshin War, the Yajima clan was on the front line of the new government forces, fighting fierce battles with the neighboring Shonai clan, which supported the former shogunate, and at one point even set fire to their own camp and surrendered the castle
The castle town was almost completely burned down during that time. However, the new government forces later rallied and overwhelmed the former Shogunate forces, and the Yajima Domain was revived. When the feudal domains were abolished and prefectures were established, it became Yajima Prefecture, which was soon merged into Akita Prefecture
The Yajima Domain's castle, with its 10,000 koku of rice, was called Hachimori Castle, but at the end of the Edo period, the koku was reduced to 8,000 koku, and as a result, domains with less than 10,000 koku could not call their castles "castles," and so they came to be called Hachimori Jin'ya
After being burned down during the Boshin War, Yamori Jin'ya was rebuilt as the Yajima Domain's headquarters, but unfortunately it can no longer be seen
However, bullet holes fired by the Shonai clan during the Boshin War remain in the pine trees, reminding us of the fierce fighting that took place during that time. The site of Hachimori Castle (Hachimori Jin'ya) is a historic site in Yurihonjo City known as the "Hachimori Castle Ruins."
Public transportation: From JR Uetsu Main Line Ugo-Honjo Station, take the Yuri Kogen Railway Chokai Sanroku Line for approximately 39 minutes, get off at Yajima Station, and walk for approximately 5 minutes
By car: Approximately 10 minutes from Honjo IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
Google Map
Kameda Domain - Amasagi Village, a Historical Site Preservation Village that collects buildings and historical materials remaining in the domain
Amasagi Village, a village of historical sites and traditions , was built at the foot of the hill where Kameda Castle once stood, and is a tourist spot that brings together the history and culture of the Kameda domain, which had a fiefdom of 20,000 koku.
Within the village, samurai residences and thatched-roof farmhouses designated as cultural assets of Yurihonjo City have been relocated, and you can watch demonstrations of traditional crafts at facilities that exhibit historical documents and tools, such as the Iwaki History and Folklore Museum , the Abe Yonekura Art Museum , and the Farm Work Museum
The castle tower-style Tensagi Castle (a replica castle tower built to resemble a regular castle tower) serves as an observation deck, from which you can look out over the townscape below Kameda Castle.
Tensagi Village＜Information＞
Facility name: Amasagi Village, a village of historical preservation and tradition
Address: 92-2 Kamedacho, Kameda, Iwaki, Yurihonjo City
Public transportation: Take the city community bus from Ugo-Kameda Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line for about 10 minutes and get off at the Kameda Branch Office bus stop, or take a taxi from Ugo-Kameda Station
*City-run community buses are not in service on weekends, holidays, or during the New Year holidays
By car: Approximately 3 minutes from Matsugasaki Kameda IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
Google Map
The Kameda Castle Sato Yasohachi Museum of Art, restored on the site of Kameda Castle
The Kameda Castle Sato Yasohachi Museum of Art is Amasagi Village , on the site of the former Kameda Castle, and is a restored residence of Iwaki Yoshitaka, domain (who was later Satake Yoshinobu , the first lord of the Kubota domain, and inherited the Satake family Satake Yoshitaka the second lord of the Kubota domain).
houses and exhibits art pieces collected by three generations of the Sato family, donated to the city by Sato Yasohachi a prominent figure in Yurihonjo City
Kameda Castle Sato Yasohachi Museum of Art <Information>
Facility name: Kameda Castle Sato 88 Museum
Address: Takagi 4, Iwaki Shimojada, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0184-74-2500
Opening hours
March to October: 9:00 to 17:00
November to February: 9:00 to 16:00
Admission fee: 210 yen for adults, free for students and preschoolers
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
Public transportation: Take the city community bus from Ugo-Kameda Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line for about 10 minutes and get off at the Kameda Branch Office bus stop, or take a taxi from Ugo-Kameda Station
*City-run community buses are not in service on weekends, holidays, or during the New Year holidays
Car: Approximately 4 minutes from Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway Matsugasaki-Kameda IC
Google Map
Honjo Domain - Honjo Castle Site "Honjo Park" where many remains and artifacts from the castle were discovered during excavation surveys
The Honjo Domain's castle, Honjo Castle (also known as Ozaki Castle and Tsurumai Castle), was burned down during the Boshin War when the domain's lord himself set it on fire
In the mid-Meiji period, the site was turned into a park (Honjo Park), but unfortunately no buildings related to the castle remain. Subsequent archaeological excavations have uncovered remains of buildings, plates, bowls, and other artifacts within the grounds
Honjo Park is filled with greenery and flowers, and is a popular resting spot visited by many local residents, especially during cherry blossom season.
The various feudal domains based in Yurihonjo City prospered through water transportation on the Koyoshi River
The ports at the mouth of the Koyoshi River were frequently visited by Kitamae ships that plied the Sea of Japan and conducted large-scale business, PortFuruyuki on the south bank were very busy.
Ishiwaki Port was under the jurisdiction of Kameda Domain, and Furusetsu Port was under the jurisdiction of Honjo Domain, and it is said that Yajima Domain, located south of Honjo Domain, also used Ishiwaki Port
Furusetsuminato Port in the Meiji era, bustling with Kitamae ships. Japanese Photograph Album (1912) Collection: National Diet Library
In the Meiji era, Ishiwaki Port and Furusetsu Port became increasingly prosperous as Japan modernized, and trade with Kitamae ships reached its peak in the mid-Meiji era
After that, with the development of roads and the advancement of land transportation, water transport rapidly declined. In 1922 (Taisho 11), Yurihonjo Station on the Uetsu Main Line opened, and Ishiwaki Port and Furusetsu Port ceased to function as distribution hubs
Ishiwaki Port (Ishiwaki) and Furushiro Port (Furuyuki Town) are home to ruins and old buildings from the time when the area prospered thanks to the Kitamae ships, and the tranquil townscape is perfect for a stroll.
Ishiwaki Minato/Furuyuki Minato <Information>
Facility name: Ishiwaki Port and Furusetsu Port
Location: Ishiwaki and Furusuki, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0184-24-6376 (Yurihonjo City Tourism Culture and Sports Department Tourism Promotion Division)
access:
Public transportation: 25-30 minutes on foot from Yurihonjo Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line
By car: Approximately 12 minutes from Honjo IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
Google Map
The Tsuchida family residence, built in the early Edo period, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan
Yurihonjo city was devastated during the Boshin War, so not many buildings remain from the Edo period. However, the Tsuchida Family Residence , is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, as it is a building that retains the old farmhouse architectural style of the Yuri region.
The Tsuchida family residence is located within the territory of the Yajima clan, but it was a little distance from Yajima Castle (Yamori Castle), so it escaped the damage of the war. The construction date of the building has not been determined, but based on its structure and construction method, it is believed to have been built by family, Seizaemon
The building is a thatched roof house in the curved style common in the Tohoku region, a construction known as chumon-zukuri. Many curved farmhouses use the curved part as a horse (livestock) stable, but the Tsuchida family's house has been used as a guest room, and the layout still retains traces of a medieval samurai residence, making the family a high-ranking farmhouse, similar to a small feudal lord in the area.
The Tsuchida House is believed to be the oldest remaining farmhouse in Akita Prefecture, and is a very valuable building. It is open to the public.
Tsuchida Family Residence <Information>
Facility name: Tsuchida Family Residence
Address: 9 Ainowadate, Yajimacho Motomachi, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0184-56-2364
Opening hours: 9:00-16:00
Admission fee: High school students and above: 200 yen (500 yen with matcha and sweets)
Public transportation: From JR Uetsu Main Line Ugo-Honjo Station, take the Yuri Kogen Railway Chokai Sanroku Line for approximately 39 minutes, then get off at Yajima Station and walk for approximately 20 minutes or take a taxi for approximately 5 minutes
By car: Approximately 10 minutes from Honjo IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
Google Map
Chokaisan Wooden Toy Museum, housed in the wooden school building of the former Ayukawa Elementary School
The old elementary school building, built in the mid-Showa era, has been restored with a new mission. The three wooden school buildings and indoor playground (gymnasium) remain as they were when they were first built, and the voices of children can once again be heard in the classrooms
The former Ayukawa Elementary School was opened in 1954 (Showa 29) Ayukawa Junior High School
Ayukawa Elementary School moved there and became an elementary school, and the school used the same building as when Ayukawa Junior High School was first founded for about 50 years.However, in 2004 (Heisei 16), Ayukawa Elementary School was merged with Yuri Elementary School and relocated, and the school was forced to close
Although the former Ayukawa Elementary School no longer has an owner, the wooden school building, which inherited the architectural style from the end of the Meiji period to the Taisho period, has been carefully preserved as a treasured item for the local people
In 2012, the gymnasium, north school building, central school building, and south school building were registered as national tangible cultural properties, giving them a new place to play
The Chokai Wooden Toy Museum opened in 2019 (Reiwa 1), using the three school buildings and indoor playground (gymnasium) as they were.
One of the school buildings and the gymnasium are equipped with safety toys and large play equipment made from locally sourced wood, creating a safe space for children to play (fee required). The other two buildings are a restaurant/café ( Kitchen Cafe Kino ), a lounge, and an exhibition room displaying folk tools from the Yuri region (free admission).
Public transportation: From JR Uetsu Main Line Ugo-Honjo Station, take the Yuri Kogen Railway Chokai Sanroku Line for approximately 12 minutes, then get off at Ayukawa Station and take the shuttle bus for approximately 5 minutes
By car: Approximately 10 minutes from Honjo IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
My love of travel grew, and I used to write a travel magazine, and now I'm a travel writer for the web. During my research, I visited all 47 prefectures in Japan, mainly in the Tohoku region, but my fun part is soaking in hot springs and experiencing traditional Japanese culture such as old townscapes, lifestyles, and performing arts and crafts.
![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami safflower" certified as a Japanese heritage and Japanese agricultural heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
![4031_Noheji Gion Festival](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/27d8816076df6701eb2d6ec6c91e5169-150x150.jpg.webp "The gorgeous "Noheji Gion Festival" and Kitamae Ship port call "Noheji" [Aomori Prefecture]")
