Tonomachi Dori / Honmachi Dori (Streets)

These are main streets in the town nestled in the mountains, Tsuwano, which is called the Little Kyoto in San-in Region. Namako walls, white earthen walls with lattice windows - Edo Period’s elegance is seen in the shops in houses and old farm-style homes. Along streets, canals are built to bring in the river water, reflecting the ancient style of a castle town.

There are remains of a domain school, Yorokan, where elite clan members and Ogai Mori studied, the county office remains, Cathoric Church, and many other historic buildings. Tago Family who served as a chief retainer for 11 generations in Tsuwano Domain. You can still see their home’s front gate remains which is 4m-wide and 26m-long with a tiled roof.

Anno Mitsumasa Art Museum currates the illustrated books and scenery paintings of an artist from Tsuwano Town, Mitsumasa Anno. Brilliant vermillion Senbon Torii (a thousand gates) at the Taikodani Inari Shrine, Furuhashi Brewery opened in early Meiji Period, and many more intriguing spots dot the town.

In the canals, 300 - 500 colorful koi fish swim around, which are almost the symbol of Tsuwano. In early summer, you get to see Japanese irises, too.