{"id":59626,"date":"2020-03-13T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-13T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=59626"},"modified":"2020-07-22T23:37:23","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T14:37:23","slug":"hyogo-tamba-sasayama-castle-town-fukusumi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/hyogo-tamba-sasayama-castle-town-fukusumi\/","title":{"rendered":"The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Tamba Sasayama Castle Town"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It was a day of wind and rain \u2014 not exactly the ideal weather for a photoshoot in Hyogo Prefecture&#8217;s (\u5175\u5eab\u770c) <strong>Tamba Sasayama<\/strong> (\u4e39\u6ce2\u7be0\u5c71\u5e02).&nbsp;Home to a rich 400-year old history, this Japanese castle town includes a unique pottery culture, a contemporary castle, and perfectly preserved samurai and merchants quarters. As I snapped photos with my camera through the cold,&nbsp;the delicately latticed storefronts in the <strong>merchant district <\/strong>and the Edo-esque <strong>Fukusumi<\/strong> shone brilliantly through the dreary weather. But what really captured my heart was the glimmering entrepreneurial spirit of the many young businesses that make their home here at Tamba Sasayama. <\/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-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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125419\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_75.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59638\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125419\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_75.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59638\" class=\"wp-image-59638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125419\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_75.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125419\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_75-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">A <em>Machiya<\/em> converted into a modern lifestyle store in Tamba Sasayama<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>My travelling companion and I arrive in Tamba Sasayama from Osaka in a little over an hour by car. We meet Michiko, our host and guide for the day, and don&#8217;t waste any time before getting started on our tour. Although this is a small town, our itinerary is packed to the brim, and with only a few short hours before nightfall, we hurry on our way.<\/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\">From Small Town to Urban, and Back Again<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although many small towns across Japan are losing young people to the big cities, the local government of Tamba Sasayama has found a way to bring a more diverse population back the town in the last few decades. A call put out by various organizations, such as <em>Chiiki Okoshi Kyoryokutai<\/em> or <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iju-join.jp\/chiikiokoshi\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Members for Local Vitalization<\/a>, has managed to lure some people back to their hometowns with attractive incentives to get businesses up and running. Many of the <em>Machiya <\/em>(traditional wooden houses) have been converted to <strong>trendy cafes, posh hotels, and craft breweries<\/strong>, and share the streets alongside retro toy stores, tatami shops, and a 400-year old sake brewery. Unlike the frenetic energy of nearby tourism giants <strong>Kyoto<\/strong> and <strong>Osaka<\/strong>, Tamba Sasayama is a much more serene version of the <strong>tradition-meets-modern<\/strong> hybrid that Japan is so famous for.<\/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=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125455\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_25.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59639\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125455\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_25.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59639\" class=\"wp-image-59639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125455\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_25.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125455\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_25-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">A Machiya facade<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125502\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_22.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59640\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125502\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_22.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59640\" class=\"wp-image-59640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125502\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_22.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125502\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_22-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\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\">The Kawaramachi Merchant District of Tamba Sasayama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our first destination is the <strong>Kawaramachi Merchant District<\/strong>. A strict tax law imposed on the craftspeople and merchant shops during the Edo period meant that the storefront facades were built narrow, though the entire building extended deep into the city block. Now, its many <em>Machiya<\/em> have been given a facelift with new businesses making their home here. <\/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-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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125521\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_39.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59641\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125521\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_39.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59641\" class=\"wp-image-59641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125521\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_39.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125521\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_39-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">A street in Kawaramachi Merchant District<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The cold rain falls relentlessly, so we all duck inside the 400-year-old <strong>Houmei Sake Brewery<\/strong>, which is almost as old as the city itself. We followed Michiko through the storefront and into a separate building in the back where its sake museum is located. I personally love museums that showcase the traditional ways of making goods in its original location and we browse the old wooden barrels, massive steel containers, and a low ceilinged yeast room freely. <\/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-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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125659\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_35.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59648\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125659\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_35.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59648\" class=\"wp-image-59648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125659\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_35.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125659\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_35-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Houmei Sake Brewery Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125543\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_26.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59642\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125543\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_26.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59642\" class=\"wp-image-59642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125543\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_26.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125543\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_26-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125555\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_27.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59643\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125555\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_27.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59643\" class=\"wp-image-59643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125555\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_27.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125555\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_27-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Barrels in the Houmei Sake <br>Brewery Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125615\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_68.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59644\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125615\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_68.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59644\" class=\"wp-image-59644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125615\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_68.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125615\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_68-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Our guide Michiko in the Houmei Sake Brewery Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 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=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125634\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_31.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59645\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125634\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_31.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59645\" class=\"wp-image-59645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125634\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_31.jpg 683w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125634\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_31-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"693\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125647\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_69.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59647\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125647\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_69.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59647\" class=\"wp-image-59647\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125647\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_69.jpg 693w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125647\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_69-338x500.jpg 338w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 693px) 100vw, 693px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Into the yeast room<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"638\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125639\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_28.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59646\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125639\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_28.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59646\" class=\"wp-image-59646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125639\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_28.jpg 638w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125639\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_28-312x500.jpg 312w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Voyapon staff Cl\u00e9mentine is a sport and helps me show scale of one of the barrels<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We happen to be visiting Tamba Sasayama during the low season of January, so some stores were closed earlier than usual. However, many stores serving their community are still open, from a local black soybean bakery to the local tatami maker. In warmer months, you&#8217;d likely experience more of the bustle of resident activity. Even in the rain, we see groups of high school students riding their bikes and locals popping into shops along the historic streets. <\/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-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=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125744\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_72.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59649\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125744\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_72.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59649\" class=\"wp-image-59649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125744\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_72.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125744\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_72-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">A bakery selling black soybean buns\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125812\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_36.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59650\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125812\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_36.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59650\" class=\"wp-image-59650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125812\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_36.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125812\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_36-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Black soybean bun\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125843\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_40.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59652\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125843\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_40.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59652\" class=\"wp-image-59652\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125843\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_40.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125843\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_40-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Tatami makers&#8217; shop<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125840\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_23.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59651\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125840\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_23.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59651\" class=\"wp-image-59651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125840\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_23.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125840\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_23-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Retro toy store<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125849\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_74.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59654\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125849\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_74.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59654\" class=\"wp-image-59654\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125849\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_74.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125849\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_74-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Machiya (traditional wooden houses)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\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\">&#8220;Hate to Lose&#8221; <em>Make-Kirai<\/em> Inari Shrine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our next stop is the unusually named <em>Make-Kirai<\/em> <em>Inari<\/em>, literally translated as &#8216;Hate to Lose Shrine&#8217;. Its history is based on a curious tale of a group of foxes that transformed themselves into sumo wrestlers and successfully won a Tokyo sumo competition as Sasayama representatives.  It is said that Tadahiro Aoyama, a Sasayama feudal lord, expressed his appreciation to foxes by offering a banner and <em>ema<\/em> (prayer board) to each village enshrining foxes in the territory of Aoyama. Now, it&#8217;s a popular place for many who walk through its vermillion <em>torii<\/em> gates to pray for success in their job searches, passing exams, and winning sports competitions. <\/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-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=\"673\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125940\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_14.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59655\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125940\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_14.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59655\" class=\"wp-image-59655\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125940\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_14.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125940\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_14-500x329.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125943\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_15.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59656\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125943\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_15.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59656\" class=\"wp-image-59656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125943\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_15.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125943\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_15-500x332.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\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\">Feudal History of Sasayama Castle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re interested in the feudal history of Tamba Sasayama, the <strong>Sasayama Castle<\/strong> is a worthwhile visit. Rather than some of the towering castles Japan is famous for, Sasayama castle is comparatively moderate in design. Built on orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first <em>sh\u014dgun<\/em> of Edo Shogunate, Sasayama Castle remained intact until 1944 when it burned down during fire raids. Today, we see a faithful reconstruction, and the <em>Oshoin<\/em> (main wooden structure) opens its doors to display a fine collection of artifacts in tatami rooms. There&#8217;s even an opportunity to dress in a suit of samurai armour inside. The <em>Oshoin<\/em> was closed when we arrive, but luckily, Voyapon staff <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/clementine\/\" target=\"_blank\">Cl\u00e9mentine<\/a> had a few photos from a previous visit up her sleeve to share.  <\/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-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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125947\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_47.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59657\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125947\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_47.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59657\" class=\"wp-image-59657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125947\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_47.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125947\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_47-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">A faithful reconstruction of <em>Oshoin<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-12 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=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130444\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_11.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59662\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130444\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_11.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59662\" class=\"wp-image-59662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130444\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_11.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130444\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_11-500x332.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re here during the springtime, the original stone walls and moat are lined with cherry trees that break out in festive pink blossoms.<\/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-13 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=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130502\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59663\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130502\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_01.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59663\" class=\"wp-image-59663\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130502\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_01.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130502\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_01-500x332.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Castle walls of  Sasayama Castle in early spring<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\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\">Sasayama&#8217;s Samurai Residence District<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A 10-minute walk from the castle brought us to the preserved Samurai residence district, where many of the original thatched houses remain. The <strong>Anma-Family Samurai Museum<\/strong> is a beautiful example of a painstakingly preserved thatched house and has a collection of tools and household furnishings from the Edo era inside. <\/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-14 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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130632\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_46.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59664\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130632\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_46.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59664\" class=\"wp-image-59664\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130632\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_46.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130632\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_46-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Anma-Family Samurai Museum in Tamba Sasayama&#8217;s samurai district<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130650\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_45.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59666\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130650\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_45.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59666\" class=\"wp-image-59666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130650\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_45.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130650\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_45-500x350.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Even with the gloomy weather, it doesn&#8217;t dampen its lovely atmosphere<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-15 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=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125952\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_07.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59658\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125952\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_07.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59658\" class=\"wp-image-59658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125952\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_07.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125952\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_07-500x332.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Samurai helmet<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125956\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_09.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59659\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125956\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_09.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59659\" class=\"wp-image-59659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125956\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_09.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16125956\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_09-500x340.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Porcelain dolls<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-16 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=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130705\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_05.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59667\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130705\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_05.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59667\" class=\"wp-image-59667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130705\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_05.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130705\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_05-500x332.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Roofline of Anma-Family Samurai Museum \/ <em>Image supplied by Cl\u00e9mentine<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130639\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_04.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59665\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130639\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_04.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59665\" class=\"wp-image-59665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130639\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_04.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130639\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_04-500x332.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Anma-Family Samurai Museum  \/ <em>Image supplied by Cl\u00e9mentine<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\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\">The Historical Post Town of Fukusumi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the evening ends, we head on a 20-minute drive east to our final destination of the historical <strong>Post Town of Fukusumi<\/strong>. Historically a resting spot for travellers on the Sasayama\u2013Kyoto route during the Edo period, the town continues the practice to this day. Many of the newly renovated wooden houses are open for travellers looking for an overnight stay, and accommodations can vary from quaint and simple to high-priced and trendy. Walk through the Edo-atmospheric streets or explore the surrounding landscape by bike.<\/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-17 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=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/13192324\/DSC00233-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"61435\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/13192324\/DSC00233.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/dsc00233\/\" class=\"wp-image-61435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/13192324\/DSC00233-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/13192324\/DSC00233-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/13192324\/DSC00233-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/13192324\/DSC00233.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16131749\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_76.jpg\" alt=\"rice fields at Fukusumi district of Tamba-Sasayama\" data-id=\"59679\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16131749\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_76.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59679\" class=\"wp-image-59679\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16131749\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_76.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16131749\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_76-500x323.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\"><em>Photos supplied by Tamba Sasayama City.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We stopped in at <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Green Cross Road (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/greencrossroad.tanbasasayama.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Green Cross Road<\/a><\/strong> at one of the renovated <em>Machiya<\/em> houses in Fukusumi. Owned and operated by professional cyclist, Daisuke Murakami, you can rent a bike, get your own bike tuned up, or sip a coffee made by Daisuke himself. If you&#8217;re in the mood to explore the area further, Daisuke can suggest cycling paths catered to your interest and ability, or provide personal tours of Fukusumi. With the evening falling, it&#8217;s a shame that we couldn&#8217;t explore the surrounding landscape further on two wheels. It will have to wait until next time. <\/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-18 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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130801\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_53.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59670\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130801\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_53.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59670\" class=\"wp-image-59670\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130801\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_53.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130801\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_53-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Daisuke Murakami of Green Cross Road<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130747\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_51.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59669\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130747\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_51.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59669\" class=\"wp-image-59669\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130747\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_51.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130747\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_51-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Interior of Green Cross Road in Fukusumi<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130717\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_50.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59668\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130717\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_50.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59668\" class=\"wp-image-59668\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130717\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_50.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130717\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_50-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Machiya facade of Green Cross Road in Fukusumi<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we leave (and in true Japanese hospitality), Daisuke dashes off down the street and returns with two bottles of Fukusumi&#8217;s own craft beers from <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/zigzag-brewery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Zig Zag Brewery<\/a>, which we gladly accept. <\/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-19 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=\"873\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130814\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_64.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59671\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130814\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_64.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59671\" class=\"wp-image-59671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130814\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_64.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130814\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_64-500x426.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Zig Zag Brewery pale ales which I enjoy back at home<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We round off our tour with a visit to <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Magnum-Coffee\/1588239111282954\" target=\"_blank\">Magnum Coffee<\/a> <\/strong>and an old school cafeteria turned restaurant named <strong>Meshito,Tsukemonto,Panto <\/strong>.<\/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-20 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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130855\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_57.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59672\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130855\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_57.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59672\" class=\"wp-image-59672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130855\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_57.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130855\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_57-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Magnum Coffee<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"695\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130858\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_58.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59673\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130858\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_58.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59673\" class=\"wp-image-59673\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130858\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_58.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130858\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_58-500x339.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Coffee options at Magnum Coffee<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130901\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_59.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59674\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130901\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_59.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59674\" class=\"wp-image-59674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130901\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_59.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130901\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_59-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-21 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=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130905\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_60.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"59675\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130905\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_60.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=59675\" class=\"wp-image-59675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130905\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_60.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/16130905\/Sasayama_Fukusumi_Hyogo_60-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">An old school cafeteria turned restaurant at  Meshito,Tsukemonto,Panto <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And it&#8217;s with that, that we conclude our tour of the lovely castle town, Tamba Sasayama. Tonight, we&#8217;ll be <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/voyapon.com\/tambasasayama-traditional-japanese-house-umetan-fuji\" target=\"_blank\">staying in Tamba Sasayama&#8217;s Umetan FUJI<\/a>, where our guide Michiko will show us the delights of staying in a traditional farmhouse. As we drive to our accommodations for the night, I regret we weren&#8217;t able to stay for longer than an afternoon. The resounding sense of community and rejuvenation that young businesses bring with them charmed its way into my heart. With tourism giants Kyoto and Osaka close by, Tamba Sasayama is still a very worthy contender for that eclectic mix of tradition-meets-modern Japan you&#8217;re looking for, without the hustle and bustle.<\/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\">Getting to Tamba Sasayama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>From Kyoto<\/strong>, take the train on the JR Tokaido Main Line to Amagasaki Station, before transfering to the JR Fukuchiyama Line (JR Takarazuka Line)  to Sasayamaguchi Station. (approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>From Osaka<\/strong>, take the JR Fukuchiyama Line (JR Takarazuka Line) from Osaka Station and get off at Sasayamaguchi Station. Alternatively, take the JR Tozai Line from Kitashinchi Station, change to the JR Fukuchiyama Line (JR Takarazuka Line) at Amagasaki station and get off at Sasayamaguchi <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/visit.sasayama.jp\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\">Visit the Tamba Sasayama website for more info.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1jH9xMMFuOKyDLAziyLevxN_V6E9hNx6K&amp;hl=en\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\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\">Exploring the Tamba Province<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re in the area, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-craft-hyogo-tamba-ware\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Tachikui Pottery Village (opens in a new tab)\">Tachikui Pottery Village<\/a><\/strong> is a 25-minute drive south, where you can look through its 800-year-old history, try your hand at making your own pottery, or explore the pottery town that still makes Tamba ware. If traditional Japanese paper is more up your alley, the <strong>Kurotani Washi Cooperative<\/strong> is a 50-minute drive to Kyoto prefecture, where you&#8217;ll see a river running through the 800-year-old traditional of <a href=\"http:\/\/voyapon.com\/kyoto-kurotani-washi-paper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\"><em>washi<\/em> making village<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1gtGWB-_PQ8x0SkYq4P5UljdqDkJHtLlN&amp;hl=en\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Article sponsored by <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/north-kansai.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\">North Kansai Tourism Association.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It was a day of wind and rain \u2014 not exactly the ideal weather for a photoshoot in Hyogo Prefecture&#8217;s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133,"featured_media":59680,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[1412,23,1],"tags":[1305,1398,1286,1722,1367],"class_list":{"0":"post-59626","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kansai","8":"category-sightseeing","9":"category-sponsored","10":"tag-castle","11":"tag-history","12":"tag-hyogo","13":"tag-old-town","14":"tag-sake"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is 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