Spend a leisurely stroll through the townscape that retains traces of the Edo period.
Fukushima, the center of Yame City, was originally a castle town; Yoshimasa Tanaka built "Fukushima Castle" in 1601, but the castle was abandoned by the Arima clan, the feudal lord of Kurume. Since then, the area has been a merchant town, and town houses with white walls and storehouses still remain. The area is currently designated as a "National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings," and approximately 150 buildings from the late Edo period to the early Showa period still remain. There are long-established tea stores, long-established lantern stores, old-fashioned restaurants, handicraft stores, etc., and some stores offer guided tours of the town.
Touching the Origins of Monozukuri: Seeing the Skills of Traditional Japanese Craftsmen
Yame Fukushima Butsudan (Buddhist altars) and other traditional crafts of Yame are gathered in one place. Even a single butsudan (Buddhist altar) is the result of detailed handiwork by craftsmen, including carving, gold leaf, maki-e (gold-relief lacquering), and metal fittings. Yame's Bon Festival lanterns are also made of handmade Japanese paper, and naturally, Japanese paper techniques are also used. Stone lanterns are another traditional craft of Yame. Visitors can see displays and demonstrations by craftsmen and traditional artisans. Of course, they are also for sale. The gallery also holds special exhibitions. The handmade washi experience is currently suspended to prevent corona infection.
Yame City has long been a production center of hina dolls. A variety of traditional and modern hina dolls are available.
Traditional crafts such as Bon Festival lanterns, Buddhist altars, and Japanese paper have long flourished in the Yame region. Hina and May dolls are also a major production area in Kyushu. Kyushu is also known as the "Land of Hina" for its Hina Matsuri (Girls' Festival) events. Yame City also holds Hina Matsuri events. The characteristic feature is the "Hakobina" hina dolls. Hina dolls are displayed in town houses, private homes, and stores along Shirakabe Street, as well as at the Yokomachi Machiya Exchange Center, Sakaiya, and the Yame Traditional Crafts Museum. The Yame Ningyo Kaikan is, of course, the most impressive exhibition of hina dolls.
Long-lived giant wisteria tree over 600 years old. The fragrance of the soft flowers is also good.
Susanoh Shrine in the former Kuroki Town has a 3,000 square meter wisteria trellis, which looks as if the shrine grounds are dyed purple during the wisteria blooming season. The large wisteria, designated as a national natural monument, is said to be over 600 years old and was planted in 1935 by Prince Yoshinari, the future general of the Western expedition, and has survived many battles, fires, and disasters since then. Since then, it has survived many battles, fires, and disasters, and is therefore known as the wisteria of longevity. The wisteria blooms around mid-April every year, and the Kuroki Grand Wisteria Festival is held there. (The festival was canceled in 2022 due to the corona.)
The ultimate drop of "Shizuku-cha" experience You must taste the essence of Gyokuro tea!
Yame's specialty is Yame tea. Especially in the Okuyame area, which includes the former Hoshino Village, cultivation of high-grade gyokuro is flourishing, and the name "Yame Traditional Gyokuro" is the first tea in Japan to be certified as a geographical indication and a GI mark that guarantees its quality. The "Tea Culture Museum" will show you the charm of Yame tea in all its glory. Visitors can try their hand at grinding powdered green tea using a stone mortar, or try the Rikyu-meshi at the Yame Tea House, but if you want to take a break at the Yame Tea House, try the Shizuku-cha tea. A small amount of hot water is poured over gyokuro tea leaves, and the drip is tasted as the first brew. The fresh aroma, rich sweetness, and mellow umami spread in the mouth. The changing flavors of the second and third teas also show us the depth of gyokuro tea.
address (e.g. of house)
10816-5, Hoshinomura, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture
