- Culture
- Hyogo
Izushi
Little Kyoto in Tajima
Izushi, now within Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture, was a small castle town that once prospered as the center of the Tajima region (present-day northern part of Hyogo Prefecture) between ancient times and the middle ages. It boasts a historic ambience, featuring a number of landmarks, including the remains of Izushi Castle with beautiful stone walls, Japan's oldest clock tower and Soji-ji Temple that was established in the early 8th century. The town is also well known for its Sara Soba buckwheat noodles served on white porcelain Izushi-yaki ware.
Shinkoro
Located at the entrance to the grounds of Izushi Castle, Shinkoro is believed to be the oldest clocktower in Japan. Built in 1871, the tower told time with a drum beating and was also used to announce the arrival of the castle lord with the sound of drumming. The current clock tower came to be after a doctor donated a giant mechanical clock made in the Netherlands in 1881. The third-generation building is a symbolic landmark of Izushi.
Izushi Sara Soba
Soba buckwheat noodles have long been a local specialty of Izushi since a soba maker from Shinshu Ueda Domain (in present-day Nagano Prefecture) introduced their technique to those of Izushi in 1706. What is so distinctive about this local soba is that it is served in small portions on Izushi-yaki plates. There are approximately 50 restaurants in this small town, each offering their own individual style and taste.
Izushi Eiraku-kan
This small theater, opened in 1901 during the Meiji Era (1868-1912), served as a center for Tajima's local culture and showcased a variety of entertainment styles, such as kabuki, plays and comedy acts. It was closed in 1964, but reopened in 2008 after a major renovation, keeping its original design in response to enthusiastic requests by the locals. Its most popular performance is Eiraku-kan Kabuki, inviting nationally renowned actors, and its theater/backstage tour also attracts keen theater fans.
Location
| Name | Izushi |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.izushi.co.jp/en/ |
| Address | 104-7 Uchimachi, Izushi-machi, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo |
| Access | From Toyooka Station on the JR San-in Main Line, take Zentan Bus bound for Izushi for approximately 30 minutes. |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0796-52-4806 (Izushi Tourist Association) |
