Destinations

Tsuwano

"I loved making trips to Tsuwano for a relaxing afternoon. Although it is small and quiet, there is plenty to do. I would usually make my own paper, have lunch by the river, wander up to the shrine through all the red gates and then finish the day of in the town’s hot spring baths"

Matt Spillar - Agency Consultant

Situated at the base of an idyllic valley, Tsuwano is a small town which prides itself on traditional arts, crafts and literature. The view of the East side of the valley is dominated by a large red torii (gate) which marks the entrance to the town and to Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine, which has over 1,000 red gates leading up to its location on the Western side of the valley.

The town itself is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Japan and is made up of historic samurai residences, shrines, temples, art museums and craft workshops. The streets are lined with shallow streams filled with thousands of colourful carp, originally stocked in the feudal era as a food source in case of siege.

On the second Sunday of April, Tsuwano holds its own yabusame horseback archery event under the cherry blossoms.