This street really has that old Kyoto vibe. It’s super pleasant to walk around and doesn’t feel overly commercial.
It’s not very long, but the little shops all have their own character. If you take your time, you might find some hidden gems.
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Kajiyamachi Street
Kumamoto’s old downtown charm is right here! A walk through the area brings you face to face with history and local warmth.
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From the 12th to the 19th century, Hitoyoshi City was ruled by the Sagara clan, a feudal lord family of the Warring States period. This spot still preserves the atmosphere of the artisan district formed by the clan, and today it offers a charming ambiance that has earned it the nickname of Kumamoto’s Little Kyoto.
As the name “Kajiyamachi,” meaning “blacksmith town,” suggests, the street was once lined with many blacksmiths producing blades, guns, and farm tools. Some of its atmospheric stone-paved roads and grand residences with storehouses befitting long-established families have been preserved as they were, allowing visitors to experience the history and culture deeply rooted in the area.
After a leisurely stroll around the area and a chance to soak up its nostalgic atmosphere, be sure to stop by the “Miso & Soy Sauce Storehouse” on one corner of the street. Operated by Kamada Brewery, known for Marukama soy sauce, this museum offers free tours of the brewing process. You can also sample the specialty miso pickles and tsukudani, then relax in the Taisho Roman-style reception room and lobby of the merchant house.
Highlights
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An artisan district formed by the Sagara clan, the feudal lords who ruled Hitoyoshi City.
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Its stone-paved streets and residences have been preserved, creating an elegant atmosphere worthy of a Little Kyoto.
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At the “Miso & Soy Sauce Storehouse” on one corner of the street, you can tour the brewing process for free.
Photos
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Walk along the atmospheric stone-paved street and enjoy a nostalgic mood
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A street lined with residences and other buildings that hint at its former prosperity
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The “Miso & Soy Sauce Storehouse,” where you can tour the brewing process for free
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Is there free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A
No free Wi-Fi is available.
Reviews
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Some reviews are AI-translated.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 鍛冶屋町通り
- Postal Code
- 868-0001
- Address
- Kajiyamachi, Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto
- Phone
- 0966-22-2566 (Secretariat, Association for the Preservation and Revitalization of the Kajiyamachi Street Townscape), 0966-22-3164 (“Miso & Soy Sauce Storehouse”)
- Closed on
- Open for walking at any time (“Miso & Soy Sauce Storehouse” has irregular closing days)
- Hours
- Open for walking at any time (“Miso & Soy Sauce Storehouse” 9:00 am–4:00 pm)
- Admission
- Free to stroll (“Miso & Soy Sauce Storehouse” tours are free)
- Access
- Approx. 12 minutes on foot from Hitoyoshi Station on the JR Hisatsu Line or Yunomae Line
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted (“Miso & Soy Sauce Storehouse”)
- Official website
- Official website (Japanese)
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