Takehara Walking Tour! Route Guide to Hiroshima’s Hidden Gem Historic Townscape

Takehara Walking Tour! Route Guide to Hiroshima’s Hidden Gem Historic Townscape

Walking the Historic Townscape of Takehara, Hiroshima A Stroll through “Little Kyoto” The Walking Route Let’s go to the Historic Townscape Preservation District from Takehara Station! Learn about Takehara’s history while walking! [Ancient Period]
“Tsū Station and Yokodaidō Kofun Cluster” The Takehara region developed early in the inland Shinjo district In the late 6th century, the Yokodaidō Kofun Cluster, tombs of powerful figures, was constructed This indicates that influential local clans possessed great power in Takehara During the Asuka Period(592-710), the ancient Sanyōdō road passed through this land, making it a key point A relay station called Tsū Station was established in Shinjo for regional governance This ancient transportation infrastructure became the foundation of the later Tsū-Takehara Shō manor [Heian Period]
“Establishment of the ‘Takehara Shō’ Manor” The history of Takehara formally began in the late Heian Period, in the latter half of the 11th century In 1090, the Takehara Manor was donated to the Shimogamo Shrine in the capital The manor expanded to include Tsū district, linking it to Kyoto’s aristocracy Locally, the kumon managed the manor’s operation and advanced toward becoming samurai During this time, a port for shipping tribute was established in Shimoichi-mura at the Kamo River mouth The management of the shōen during this period is truly the origin of Takehara’s history [Medieval Period]
“Rule of the Takehara Kobayakawa Clan” In the Kamakura Period, control over Takehara passed from court nobility to the samurai class In 1258, Masakage Kobayakawa was granted the land, founding the Takehara Kobayakawa clan Takehara Bay was a calm, excellent harbor, which was a major factor in the port town’s growth The Kobayakawa clan focused on maritime activities in the Seto Inland Sea, accumulating wealth Mahashi Furuichi became the largest market settlement and was utilized as a naval base Due to the harbor’s decline, the center moved to Shimoichi-mura, which was further offshore This Shimoichi-mura is the original area of the current preserved historic townscape [Sengoku Period]
“Takakage Kobayakawa and the Mōri Clan’s Naval Base” During the Sengoku Period, Takehara came under the dominion of the Mōri clan, the regional power In 1544, Takakage, the third son of Motonari Mōri, was adopted into the Kobayakawa clan. The Kobayakawa naval forces, led by Takakage Kobayakawa, became the main naval power for the Mōri clan The port of Takehara was a crucial base for the Mōri clan to control the Seto Inland Sea [Early Modern Period]
“Salt Production Wealth and Cultural Flourishing” In 1619, under Nagaakira Asano, Takehara entered its economic golden age during the Edo Period Prosperity was driven by the domain-promoted salt manufacturing industry in Shimoichi-mura The “Keian no Kohama” Irihama-style salt field was constructed in 1650 Takehara’s salt became a vital pillar supporting the finances of the Hiroshima domain By 1719, Takehara accounted for over 70% of the domain’s total salt tax revenue The salt was shipped as far as Tohoku, Hokkaido by Kitamaebune, bringing immense wealth to Takehara Wealthy merchants diversified into sake brewing and pawnbroking Honkawa River
(Break from history of Takehara) Arriving Rai Sanyō Statue Square Rai Sanyō was a famous Edo-period historian, known for his influential work “Nihon Gaishi” Back to history of Takehara The concentration of wealth created a heavy townscape with distinctive latted windows and tiled roofs This townscape is currently designated as an Important Preservation District for Historic Buildings Takehara was a Center of Education and Culture, producing scholars like Shunsui Rai Shunpū Rai (Shunsui Rai’s younger brother) founded the Takehara Shoin in 1793 and devoted himself to education [Modern Period]
“The End of Salt Production and Transition to New Industries” After the Meiji Restoration, Takehara Village implemented the town system, becoming Takehara Town in 1889 Industrially, brick production began in the Yoshina district around 1895 The opening of the entire Kure Line in 1935 marked a major turning point for Takehara’s industry Entering the Preserved Townscape The vast former salt fields south of the station were reclaimed The Showa Mining Takehara Electro-Refinery(now the Mitsui Mining & Smelting) was constructed there In 1960, the 300-year-old salt industry was entirely abolished, marking a period of transition Subsequently, with the construction of facilities like the thermal power plant, Takehara developed into an industrial city Anyway, please enjoy the video of the city walk from here. On the right is the Taketsuru Sake Brewery building. On the left is “the former Matsusaka family residence”
A merchant’s house (salt production etc.) built around 1820. Saihoji Temple
(Center of screen) On the right is the former Takehara Post Office
A historic building built in 1871. On the right is “Takehara City History and Folklore Museum”
A Western-style building built as a library in 1929 “Former Residence of Tadasuga Rai”
The former residence of Sanyo Rai’s grandfather, Tadasuga Rai, built around 1775 On the right is “Fujii Shuzo Sake Brewery”
Founded in 1863, Known for its “Ryusei” brand. Oshoji Alley Itayasyoji Alley Thank you for watching!

#TakeharaWalkingTour #HistoricTownscape #HiddenJapan

⏰ TIMELINE
00:00 Welcome to Takehara and Historic Overview ✨
00:14 Starting Point : JR Takehara Station 🚉
00:42 Aifuru Street (Local Shopping Area) 🛍️
04:50 Route 185 to Rai Sanyō Statue Square 🛣️
08:00 Rai Sanyō Statue Square : Photo Stop 📸
08:30 Short Walk to the Historic District Entrance ➡️
10:26 Entering the Preserved Townscape 🏘️
15:50 Stop : Former Residence of Rai Tadasuga 🏡
17:16 Townscape District Exit towards Rai Sanyō Statue Square ↩️

Start your easy walk right from JR Takehara Station! Let’s follow this complete route guide to explore the beautiful, well-preserved streets of Takehara, Hiroshima, famously nicknamed “Aki no Shokyoto.” This hidden gem offers a peaceful, immersive glimpse into Japan’s Early Modern history that even first-time visitors can easily enjoy!

In this video, I will guide you along the designated route, pointing out the iconic lattice-windowed architecture, historic temple, and local sake brewery. The entire preserved district is a stunning, walkable museum!

Follow this route guide to the end and experience the moving, authentic atmosphere of historic Japan in just a short, relaxing walk!🚶💨

📍 Location : Takehara Historic Townscape, Takehara, Hiroshima
📅 Filmed : October 2025
📷 Equipment : Insta360 Ace Pro 2
🎧 Music by : https://www.youtube.com/@samsin102?sub_confirmation=1

#JapanTravel #Takehara #Hiroshima