Tsuwano

About Tsuwano
Tsuwano is an old castle town, often called "Little Kyoto" because of its traditional atmosphere. It is an idyllic town with just under 8000 inhabitants and a beautiful location at the foot of a valley in the southern part of the main island of Honshu.

Hiking through the golden age of Japan
Tsuwano is one of the best preserved medieval cities in all of Japan. The Middle Ages in Japan were a period of isolation from the outside world when Japanese culture flourished. The city is a testimony to this, and its small size makes it ideal for exploring on foot or by bike. Stroll among ancient samurai houses, shrines, temples and along the beautiful river that runs through the town and is full of colourful carp. One of the most beautiful walks is to the ruins of the ancient Tsuwano Castle at the top of a mountain. From here you have a great view of the city. It takes about 30 minutes to walk along one of the trails up the mountain, but there are also lifts that run most of the way. The Taikodani Inari Shrine is a sister shrine to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, and it is covered by over 1,000 red gates. Another interesting visit is the Tsuwano Minzoku Museum, a folklore museum housed in an ancient samurai building from 1786. Accommodation in the area will be in traditional Japanese fashion - a 'ryokan' (guest house) with hot springs and a vibe of the old days.

Other Places of Interest in Tsuwano
The city is known for its traditional crafts. In Sekishukan, a museum of traditional Japanese paper, you can try making paper yourself (time must be booked in advance).