Tsuwano town [津和野]
Tsuwano town
Tonomachi Street in Tsuwano
Tsuwano is a small town located near the southwest end of Shimane Prefecture.
It is about 30 km south of Masuda city facing the Sea of Japan, and about 50 km northeast of Yamaguchi city in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Mongol Empire (Yuan Dynasty) attempted the invasions against Japan twice in 1274 and 1281.
Therefore, Kamakura Government built a castle on the mountain in Tsuwano as one of the places to guard the mainland of Japan.
The castle was completed in 1324.
But, Mongol Empire had never attacked since then.
In the early 17th century, the castle was rebuilt as the base of the government in this area.
And, the castle town was constructed at the foot of the mountain.
After that, industrial development and education were promoted, and this small town became a center of this area.
The town is in a valley formed by Tsuwano River.
Tsuwano River flows from south to north, and the castle town is along the river.
There is the ruin of Tsuwano Castle on the mountain to the west.
The old townscape is called "Little Kyoto".
By the way, there are a few Christian churches in Tsuwano.
Tsuwano has a history of oppression toward Christians by the Meiji government in the 1860s.
The sightseeing area is within 3 km to the south of JR Tsuwano station.
So we can tour around the town on foot, and can use rental bicycle, taxi or sightseeing rickshaw.
Honmachi Street (本町通り)
Honmachi Street
Photo by Shimane Prefecture
Honmachi Street
Photo by Shimane Prefecture
Honmachi Street is a main street of old town in Tsuwano.
The entrance is about 250 meters southeast of JR Tsuwano station, and the length is about 350 meters.
Old merchant houses, storehouses, Sake breweries, etc. are along the stone-paved street.
The houses are characterized by the reddish roof tiles.
Tonomachi Street (殿町通り)
Tonomachi Street
Photo by Shimane Prefecture
Small canal along Tonomachi Street
Photo by Shimane Prefecture
Tonomachi Street is more popular street in Tsuwano.
It is connected to Honmachi Street, and the length is about 200 meters.
Some former samurai residences are along the street.
And, a small canal is set up along the street and many colorful carp swim in the canal.
Rickshaw in Tsuwano
Photo by Shimane Prefecture
Tsuwano Catholic Church
Tsuwano Catholic Church (津和野カトリック教会) is at the entrance of Tonomachi street.
It is the Western-style church built in 1931.
Tatami mats are set up on the floor for Japanese believer.
And there are the displays about Otome Toge St.Mary Chapel to be described later.
Yorokan school (藩校養老館) is a former samurai school.
The original school was built in another place in 1786, but it was destroyed by fire in 1853.
Current building was rebuilt here in 1855.
The samurais learned Confucianism, Chinese literature, military science, etc., and the school produced people useful to the nation.
The main gate, training halls for martial arts, and book storeroom remain.
Yorokan school
Photo by Shimane Prefecture
Gate of Tago Family Residence
There is Gate of Tago Family Residence (多胡家老門, "Tago-karo mon" in Japanese) is near Yorokan school.
It is a gate of former samurai residence of Tago family and was built in 1860.
The members of Tago family had held the chief retainer of Tsuwano Clan for Edo Period (1603-1868).
The site is used as the town office.
Taikodani-inari Shrine (太皷谷稲成神社)
Taikodani-inari Shrine
Photo: Yamaguchi Prefectural Tourism Federation
Torii gates of Taikodani-inari Shrine
Photo: Yamaguchi Prefectural Tourism Federation
Taikodani-inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine.
It is located on the mountainside to the southwest of central town.
In 1773, the lord of Tsuwano founded this shrine to pray for peace of the people.
At that time, the enshrined deities were separated and transferred from Fushimi-inari taisha in Kyoto.
The sloping approach has 263 stone steps, and about 1,000 red Torii gates are set up like a tunnel.
Ruin of Tsuwano Castle
Photo: Yamaguchi Prefectural Tourism Federation
Otome Toge St.Mary Chapel
Photo: Yamaguchi Prefectural Tourism Federation
Ruin of Tsuwano Castle (津和野城跡)
Tsuwano Castle is on the mountain located about 1.5 km southwest of central town.
The original castle was completed in 1324.
It was renovated in the early 17th century, but most of the buildings were destroyed by fire of lightning strike in 1686.
The other buildings were demolished in 1871.
Some stone walls remain in the site, and it is a park to view the town of Tsuwano.
A lift to climb the slope is set up on the way.
Otome Toge St.Mary Chapel (乙女峠マリア聖堂)
Otome Toge is a place on the mountainside located about 300 meters west of Tsuwano station.
In Edo period (1603-1868), the government had banned Christianity.
But, after the end of the feudal samurai government, even new modern Meiji government continued the ban on Christianity.
About 3,000 crypto-Christians were in Nagasaki city and were arrested.
153 Christians of them were sent to Tsuwano and were terribly tortured at this place in 1868.
Then 37 Christians were martyred.
It is said that Virgin Mary descended to earth at that time, and here is the only place in Japan.
"Otome" means "Virgin".
Western countries protested strongly, so Meiji government abolished the ban on Christianity in 1873.
The chapel was built in 1948.
In May 3, the pilgrimage from Tsuwano Catholic Church to this church and a memorial mass is held.
How to get here
From Yamaguchi, about 50 minutes by limited express of JR Yamaguchi Line, about 1 hour and 15 minutes by local train.
From Shin-Yamaguchi of San-yo Shinkansen, about 65 minutes.
From Masuda, about 30 minutes by JR limited express, about 40 minutes by local train.
From Matsue, about 2 hours 45 to 55 minutes by JR limited express.
