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A Stroll Through The 400-Year-Old Castle Town Of Tamba-Sasayama
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.
Tamba-Sasayama, Hyogo: A Japanese Heritage City
Tamba-Sasayama, a city in Hyogo, has been designated a Japan Heritage site. This designation is given to cities and towns whose cultural properties serve the purpose of passing down the cultures and traditions of Japan. You will see traditional wooden Japanese houses no matter where you go in the 400-year old town of Tamba-Sasayama.
The entire town looks the same as it did 400 years ago. This is a town where you can visualize samurai and kimono-clad women appearing from around the corners as the sounds of their zori and voices echo into the air.
About Tamba-Sasayama
Photo courtesy of: Tamba-Sasayama City
Taｍba-Sasayama is situated to the east of central Hyogo and was once called the Tamba Province. It was once a very important location as you had to pass through this area when traveling to Kyoto.
In the sixteenth century, Sasayama Castle was constructed under the Tenka Bushin (*1) of the Edo shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa and also shared similarities with Kyoto’s Nijo Castle. Sasayama is the only area outside of Kyoto where high standard buildings are found.
*1: Tenka Bushin: a type of public works that the Edo shogunate ordered daimyo (feudal lords) throughout Japan to perform.
Photo courtesy of: Sasayama City
In 2015, the entire city of Sasayama, including its architecture, songs, and culture, was recognized as the first Japan Heritage site in Japan. You can set out on a journey through time as if you have walked through a historical corridor by stepping into the streets of Sasayama.
7 Spots You Shouldn’t Miss in Sasayama
1. Sasayama Castle Ruins: The Heart of the Mountain
The Edo shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa demanded money and aid resources in order to reduce the powers of the daimyo in each region. Due to this, castles were constructed or restored in various regions with Sasayama Castle being among those that were created.
Sasayama Castle was constructed by the expert fortifier Takatora Todo. The castle was constructed with the purpose of besieging Osaka Castle, however, there are no castle towers outside a tower base. This is an interesting feature for a castle that had the ability to be engaged in combat.
2. Oshoin: A Historical Presence
The Oshoin is a building central to Sasayama Castle. It not only occupies a wide area but its elegant exterior and golden interior are very similar to the Ninomaru Palace of Kyoto’s Nijo Castle. From here, you will come to understand that Sasayama Castle has a very high status.
Its sole difference from Nijo Castle is the fact that the roof has been painted with lacquer. You can sense the simple, great quality of Oshoin from this.
Photo courtesy of: Tamba-Sasayama City
Unfortunately, the original Oshoin was lost to a fire in 1944. The current structure is a reconstruction from 2000.
Newly established buildings in Sasayama are built as to not be taller than Sasayama Castle to preserve the view of Sasayama Castle blending beautifully together with the sky. When you look down at the castle town from the existing castle tower base, the beautifully established scenery is the same as it was 400 years ago.
Photo courtesy of: Tamba-Sasayama City
Sasayama Castle is not only one of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Castles, but it is also one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. There are over 1,000 cherry blossom trees surrounding the castle ruins.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is annually held in April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Visitors sing while viewing the flowers, making it very lively.
【Sasayama Castle Ruins】
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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.
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.
【Tamba Sasayama City Aoyama History Village】
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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!
【Otori Sake Brewery Co.,Ltd. Tipsy Castle Warehouse】
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6. Kawaramachi Mercantile Houses District: Take Another Trip Through Time
Photo courtesy of: Sasayama City
After enjoying Tanba 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!
【Kawaramachi Tsumairi Merchant House Group】
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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.
【Ojiyama Makekirai Inari】
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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/
Reference: https://matcha-jp.com/jp
Date : 2020.03.24
