{"id":58696,"date":"2020-02-22T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-22T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=58696"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:19:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:19:53","slug":"sakuragawa-beauty-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/sakuragawa-beauty-tradition\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Beauty and Tradition in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kankou-sakuragawa.jp\/page\/page000141.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Makabe (opens in a new tab)\">Makabe<\/a> is a quaint and quiet town in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is located in a beautiful countryside surrounded by mountains. Accurately described as &#8220;little Kyoto&#8221; for its richness of tradition and walkable downtown area, Sakuragawa is <strong>a day&#8217;s trip away from Tokyo<\/strong> and more than packed full of enough historical locations, beauty, and scenery to merit the journey. On this trip, I visited a beautiful shrine that looks untouched by time, a foundry crafting giant brass bells for Buddhist temples, took a stroll around the city&#8217;s streets and had a lovely, satisfying lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strolling through an Idyllic Forest Glen<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003319\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Gosho Komagataki Shrine in Sakuragawa\" data-id=\"58501\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003319\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-1\/\" class=\"wp-image-58501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003319\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003319\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003319\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003319\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I started my trip to this town by heading to a small shrine called <strong>Gosho Komagataki<\/strong> \u4e94\u6240\u99d2\u7027\u795e\u793e (Facebook Page), and walked through neighborhoods of traditional Japanese houses. I walked along mossy trails, over a rippling canal, through perfectly arranged paths and views so staggeringly beautiful that they looked pulled from a movie set. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003430\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-7-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tengu Mask at Gosho Komagataki Shrine\" data-id=\"58507\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003430\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-7.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-7\/\" class=\"wp-image-58507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003430\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-7-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003430\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-7-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003430\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-7-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003430\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-7.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003451\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-9-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A House at Gosho Komagataki Shrine\" data-id=\"58509\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003451\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-9.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-9\/\" class=\"wp-image-58509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003451\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-9-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003451\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-9-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003451\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-9-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003451\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-9.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003647\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-19-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"The Main Shrine at Gosho Komagataki\" data-id=\"58519\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003647\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-19.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-19\/\" class=\"wp-image-58519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003647\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-19-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003647\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-19-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003647\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-19-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003647\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-19.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">The main shrine at Gosho Komagotaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The priests have done a spectacular job creating a varied, obviously cherished space complete with multiple gardens, a caf\u00e9-like terrace for eating, homegrown peppers hanging from the lintel, cozy interior rooms with small heaters, and wood carvings of owls and forest spirits crafted from a collaboration with local art colleges.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003600\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-15-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Potted Plants at Gosho Komagataki Shrine\" data-id=\"58515\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003600\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-15.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-15\/\" class=\"wp-image-58515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003600\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-15-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003600\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-15-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003600\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-15-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003600\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-15.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003548\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-14-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Owl Statues at Gosho Komagataki Shrine\" data-id=\"58514\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003548\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-14.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-14\/\" class=\"wp-image-58514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003548\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-14-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003548\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-14-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003548\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-14-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003548\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-14.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003514\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-11-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"An Outdoor Table Area at Gosho Komagataki Shrine\" data-id=\"58511\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003514\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-11.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-11\/\" class=\"wp-image-58511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003514\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-11-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003514\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-11-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003514\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-11-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003514\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-11.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Loving attention to detail marks every turn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The caretakers of the shrine insisted on making a space for children use while there, (the shrine is open to public use), and so there is an adjacent park with a home-carved wooden slide, swing, toys, sand area, and open lawns all in sight of the nearby mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003624\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-17-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A Playground for Children at Gosho Komagataki Shrine\" data-id=\"58517\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003624\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-17.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-17\/\" class=\"wp-image-58517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003624\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-17-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003624\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-17-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003624\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-17-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003624\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-17.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003709\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-21-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A Forest Creature at Gosho Komagataki Shrine\" data-id=\"58521\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003709\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-21.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-21\/\" class=\"wp-image-58521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003709\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-21-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003709\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-21-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003709\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-21-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003709\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_shrine-21.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">A playground and toys makes Gosho Komagotaki an excellent space for children<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I did not at all want to leave this place, and I easily envisioned staying behind to write, read, and simply breathe in an absolutely silent, peaceful place. The fullness and beauty of this one shrine and its grounds in small, rural Sakuragawa more than rival any large, historical site found in a city like Kyoto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Forging Bells for Buddhist Temples<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The next stop on this trip was the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nippon-kichi.jp\/article_list.do;jsessionid=20625144034ACEC95812EE0F5CEFB6E2?p=7915&amp;ml_lang=en\">Kotabe Foundry<\/a><\/strong> \u5c0f\u7530\u90e8\u92f3\u9020, a location that has been tended by the same family for 37 generations for over 800 years. Upon entering the clay-floored, semi-open factory-like space, with its incredibly high ceiling and rafters, sets of pulleys and machinery, open pits in the floor, and clay-and-sand molds along one wall, I was certain that I knew next to nothing about how giant bronze bells are forged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002851\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Kotabe Foundry in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki\" data-id=\"58478\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002851\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-1\/\" class=\"wp-image-58478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002851\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002851\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002851\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002851\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The foundry uses time-honored methods to build their bells, which are individually commissioned by temples and engraved with differing designs and characters. I was given the chance to lift (with a mechanical pulley, of course) a bell, which in the pre-machine past would have required the power of every citizen living nearby. The current owner of the business also handed me a large and heavy wooden pole that I could use to smash into one of the emblems on the side of the bell to make it ring. After ringing it, I actually stepped into the interior of the hoisted bell and listened to the soundwaves expand and contract through different pitches and gradually vanish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003007\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-8-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A Mold for a Draong's Head on a Bell at Kotabe Foundry\" data-id=\"58485\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003007\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-8.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-8\/\" class=\"wp-image-58485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003007\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-8-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003007\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-8-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003007\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-8-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003007\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-8.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003026\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-10-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Oranamental Design on a Bell at Kotabe Foundry\" data-id=\"58487\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003026\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-10.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-10\/\" class=\"wp-image-58487\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003026\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-10-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003026\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-10-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003026\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-10-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003026\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-10.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002902\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-2-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A Brass Buddhist Bell at Kotabe Foundry\" data-id=\"58479\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002902\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-2\/\" class=\"wp-image-58479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002902\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002902\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-2-375x500.jpg 375w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002902\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002902\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-2.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">An immense bronze bell for a Buddhist Temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I learned an immense amount of information about the bell-making process, including how different ratios of copper to tin, when combined with different thicknesses of the metal, create different tones and resonances. Each bell takes months to complete, and at present, the foundry receives about three orders per year, although in the past it used to be higher when more new temples were being built. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002922\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-4-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"58481\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002922\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-4.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-4\/\" class=\"wp-image-58481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002922\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-4-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002922\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-4-375x500.jpg 375w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002922\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-4-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002922\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-4.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002912\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-3-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tools for Making Bells at Kotabe Foundry\" data-id=\"58480\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002912\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-3.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-3\/\" class=\"wp-image-58480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002912\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002912\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-3-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002912\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21002912\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003016\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-9-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A Clay Mold for Making Bells at Kotabe Foundry\" data-id=\"58486\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003016\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-9.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-9\/\" class=\"wp-image-58486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003016\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-9-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003016\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-9-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003016\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-9-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003016\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_foundry-9.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Tools and craftsmanship at Kotabe Foundry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This was an incredibly impressive place to visit, and I left with a sense of awe not just at the depth of craftsmanship involved in making the foundry\u2019s bells, but at the tenacity of both the process and the maintenance of the entire tradition, generation after generation, century after century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Open Sky and Local Shops of Makabe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003054\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Makabe Street in Sakuragawa\" data-id=\"58490\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003054\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-1\/\" class=\"wp-image-58490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003054\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003054\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003054\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003054\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">The bright and inviting streets of Makabe, Sakuragawa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> For my final destination on this trip to Sakuragawa, I stopped at Makabe Street, known for coming alive during <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/hinamatsuri-day-girl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Hina-matsuri (Girl\u2019s Festival) (opens in a new tab)\"><em>Hina-matsuri<\/em> (Girl\u2019s Festival)<\/a> in March. At that time of year, locals pull hundreds of small prince and princess dolls from storage, place them on stands covered with bright red fabric, and line the town\u2019s houses and streets with them for festivities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003121\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-4-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"An Historical Building in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki\" data-id=\"58493\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003121\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-4.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-4\/\" class=\"wp-image-58493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003121\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003121\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-4-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003121\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-4-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003121\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-4.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003144\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-6-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Memorabilia at Makabe Street, Ibaraki\" data-id=\"58495\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003144\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-6.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-6\/\" class=\"wp-image-58495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003144\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-6-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003144\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-6-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003144\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-6-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003144\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-6.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003239\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-8-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A Garden along Makabe Street, Sakuragawa, Ibaraki\" data-id=\"58497\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003239\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-8.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-8\/\" class=\"wp-image-58497\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003239\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-8-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003239\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-8-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003239\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-8-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003239\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-8.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Buildings and shops along Makabe Street<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This area of Ibaraki is <strong>perfect year-round for cycling, hiking, or just getting away from Tokyo<\/strong> for a day to enjoy the cleanliness of the air and brightness of the sky. As I walked along the wide, nearly carless streets of Makabe, it was very easy to see how the area was ideal for walking and being outside, mingling among hundreds of others in a big outdoors, ongoing festival. As it was, I visited during the off-season, but still found plenty of enjoyment popping in and out of souvenir shops, decades-old stores owned by proprietors that sold rare memorabilia, and mom-and-pop restaurants that served fantastic and wholesome local food (with generous portions) such as sushi and rice bowls. The layout of the streets and its architecture reminded me of a city like Kyoto, except far less crowded, and far more intimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Inside of a Farmstay in Sakuragawa\" data-id=\"58793\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2\/\" class=\"wp-image-58793\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175852\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175905\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-3-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tatami Room in a Farmstay in Sakuragawa\" data-id=\"58794\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175905\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-3.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-3\/\" class=\"wp-image-58794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175905\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175905\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-3-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175905\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175905\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175839\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Farmstay in Sakuragawa\" data-id=\"58792\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175839\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-1\/\" class=\"wp-image-58792\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175839\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175839\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175839\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/02175839\/ibaraki-sakuragawa_farmstay-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Farmstay Iimura, one of Sakuragawa&#8217;s farmstays available for travelers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sakuragawa also has farmstays available for travelers: an alternative to modern hotels where guests are surrounded by Ibaraki&#8217;s beautiful natural environment in a quiet, peaceful, home-like environment.  Farmstay Iimura (website) is sometimes similar to traditional, Japanese-style hotels (<em>ryokan)<\/em> and include meals served by hosts and sleeping accommodations in a tatami room for up to 5 people. Farmstays are a fantastic way to learn about Japanese customs and agricultural heritage and get into contact with locals. This kind of experience simply can&#8217;t be found in a large-scale city like Kyoto, and makes a trip to Ibaraki special and exceptional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003307\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-11-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Sushi Bowl Lunch Set at Suehiro Sushi, Makabe, Ibaraki\" data-id=\"58500\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003307\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-11.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-11\/\" class=\"wp-image-58500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003307\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-11-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003307\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-11-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003307\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-11-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003307\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-11.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003248\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-9-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Hot Green Tea in Sakuragawa\" data-id=\"58498\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003248\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-9.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-9\/\" class=\"wp-image-58498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003248\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-9-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003248\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-9-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003248\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-9-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/21003248\/voyapon_ibaraki-sagareyama_makabe-9.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Lunch options at Suehiro Sushi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After visiting Makabe Street I had lunch at a local restaurant, Suehiro Sushi, where I enjoyed <em>chirashizushi<\/em>, a type of sushi bowl where a variety of fish, seafood, and vegetables are served over rice. It came with miso soup, pickles, green tea, and a small bowl of dessert, and because I was extra hungry I ordered hot <em>udon <\/em>(a type of chewy Japanese noodle dish) to supplement the meal. I headed out after the meal fully intending to be back later in the year. Whether I visited in spring, summer, autumn, or next winter, I was certain that the trip would be as memorable and restorative as this short excursion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My trip to Sakuragawa was a reminder of the natural beauty and richness of history that can be tucked away in the smallest of places. I left with a complete portrait of the life of the town taken through miniature snapshots of its land, its heritage, and its traditions. The worth of a place like Sakuragawa is not to be judged by the number of travelers who pass through, but by every detail the environment speaks to those travelers who choose to listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get to Sakuragawa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Akihabara station &#8211; Tsukuba station(Tsukuba Express): about 45 minutes<br>Tsukuba center &#8211; Tsukubasan Guchi: shuttle bus : about 60 minutes<br>Tsukubasan Guchi &#8211; Shimojuku: Sakuragawa city bus: about 25 minutes <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=167QgaXHETnVoCRW47mC0-L_oFgRfGWIV\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Sponsored by Ibaraki Prefecture<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Makabe is a quaint and quiet town in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is located in a beautiful countryside surrounded by&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":147,"featured_media":58519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1408,23,1],"tags":[1248,1711,1306,1307,1784],"class_list":{"0":"post-58696","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kanto","8":"category-sightseeing","9":"category-sponsored","10":"tag-ibaraki","11":"tag-near-tokyo","12":"tag-shrine","13":"tag-temple","14":"tag-chibaibaraki"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Natural Beauty and Tradition in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Make a day trip from Tokyo to visit Sakuragawa, where you can stroll mossy trails to historical shrines and tour a 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