YANAGAWA

Yanagawa in a nutshell, authored by Takeshi

I have traveled to Yanagawa. Actually, it is more appropriate to say that I popped at Yanagawa as a sidetrip from Fukuoka. I spent only for a couple of hours in Yanagawa. However, I have already got lots of interesting and enjoyable experiences there. By reading this diary, I hope you will get some motivation to visit there by your own.

The home of Hakushu Kitahara

This is the outlook of the home of Hakushu Kitahara, who is one of the most noted poets in Japan. He was born in Yanagawa as a child of rich merchant. Though his father wanted Hakushu to inherit his job, Hakushu didn't wanted to inherit the job since Hakushu wanted to become a poet. Finally, he came to Tokyo without telling his father about his coming to Tokyo, and started his career as a poet. Though he was rich in his youth, his fathers business became running out of business due to the damage caused by the disasterous fire accident in the Yanagawa city. Hence, Hakushu also had to suffer from some poverty. We can see and feel a part of his turbulent life by reading his poem.

This is the inner outlook of his birth house, which was rennovated.

This is the inner outlook of his birth house, which was rennovated. A girl was drawing/sketching the room and the small yard shown in this picture.

This is the yard of his house. The building in the picture is the den of his father though he himself had used the room as his study room.

This is the same yard, taken from different angle.

Ohana

Ohana is the villa of the Tachibana clan, who had been the governor of the region. Its garden is designated as a Japanese national historical treasure.

This picture above is just a room inside the villa.

This is the garden designated as a Japanese national historical treasure, which is located in front of the room shown above.

The riverside region between the home of Hakushu and Ohana

The home of Hakushu Kitahara and Ohara are the main sightseeing point. Naturally, this region surrounded by them has the colour of tourism. You can find some souvenir shops and good-looking restaurants. As a matter of fact, a river is running through the city, and we can enjoy some cruising tour. This place is the ending point of crusing tour as well. You may find the water cruising tour departure point near the station "Seitetsu-Yanagawa."

Suitengu

Suitengu is also located in the riverside area. This shrine itself doesn't seem to have any historical importance. However, this place takes great role during the Hakushu festival season. I dunno what kind of performance be conducted during the festival, though.

Mihashira Shrine

This is a shrine founded for Tachibana tribe, a tribe of governor of Yanagawa region.

Special Shop

This is the ganso Motoyoshi-ya, the headquarter of Motoyoshiya. This restaurant has 300 year history. The top attraction of the restaurant os the seiro-mushi of eels. This is cooked by steaming broiled[grilled] eel and rice together.

Special cuisine

This is the nabe called Yanagawa-nabe. This nabe is composed of loach and burdock. So yummy !!! The snack in the left side of the picture is the bones of dried eels.

This is the seiro-mushi of eels. So yummy !!!

Accomodation

Youth Hostel available. Please search Youth Hostel from its Japanese representative site. I stayed there. Though you need to take bus to go to the sightseeing spots, the hostel itself is ok and cozy. The type of room is Japanese style.

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