{"id":4515,"date":"2016-03-28T15:28:06","date_gmt":"2016-03-28T06:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=4515"},"modified":"2023-01-11T11:17:19","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T02:17:19","slug":"samurai-kagoshima-village-chiran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/samurai-kagoshima-village-chiran\/","title":{"rendered":"Stroll Like a Samurai in Kagoshima’s Chiran Samurai Complex"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Chiran is a small but picturesque hidden gem. Located in a broad valley of Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima prefecture, and surrounded by calm currents of a river, it takes you 250 years back to past Japan. The Sata family, the chief samurai retainers of the Shimizu lords, found their home in this little town and built a semi-fortified village. Some of the great samurai houses scattered along a 700-meter-long lane have survived to this date. Undoubtedly, they captivate and lure those who want to experience \u201cthe old Japan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The samurai dwellings are largely still occupied, thus they are not open for the public. However, the main interest lies in their small but artistic gardens designed by masters from Kyoto, viewed well from the residences and the road. As indicated by English signs, they are open for visitors who can purchase the tickets. Such tickets are available in shops adjacent to parking lots or in the north end of the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The gardens resemble Chinese paintings illustrating rock groupings and mountainous scenery; scenes of valleys and tiny waterfalls. Yet, each of them are different in their composition and design. In the best of them, such as Hirayama Katsumi and Hirayama Ryoichi’s, the layout combines a peaceful zen atmosphere with a feeling of nostalgia and nobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n