If you also love traditional Japanese architecture, you have to visit the Kikuya Family Residence in Hagi—one of Japan’s oldest and best-preserved merchant homes.
The black roof tiles, white walls, diamond-pattern details, and wooden latticework are beautifully crafted. The simple facade has a nostalgic charm, and even after six centuries, it still feels elegant and captivating!
As you wander through the little alleys outside the walls, you’ll see all kinds of light and shadow playing across them. And if you look down, you might even spot little crabs leisurely walking in the canal. The Kikuya Family Residence in Hagi is such a wonderful place!
Kikuya Yokocho Alley | Review by 周黛西
Other Reviews by 周黛西
-
Kamitori, Kumamoto City Central Shopping Arcade
This shopping arcade is 600 meters long and 11 meters wide, with Ipe wood decking laid down the center of the walkway for a gentle, comfortable stroll. Surrounded by cultural attractions such as Kumamoto Castle, the Prefectural Museum of Art, the Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center, and the Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, it is a popular stop for visitors exploring Kumamoto.
On our first night in Kumamoto, we stayed at Onyado Nono. Kamitori Shopping Arcade was right next door, bustling with people and full of energy. There were all kinds of food, izakayas, drugstores, and fresh fruit and vegetable shops (how could we miss the sweet, juicy peaches and grapes this season? 🤤)
From City Hall, where Kamitori and Shimotori meet, you can see Kumamoto Castle in the distance. Its warm lights symbolize the resilient, gentle yet strong spirit of this city. -
-
Yachiyoza
Yamaga is a town that flourished due to its distribution via water canals along the Kikuchi River, and as a hot springs resort during the Edo Period. A successful businessman at the time used these same resources to build Yachiyoza, a large style playhouse in 1910.
I had barely finished seeing the belugas before flying to Fukuoka. My first stop on this return trip to Kyushu was Yamaga, a hot spring town full of Edo-period charm.
Yamaga is in northern Kumamoto Prefecture and is known for its hot springs, lantern festival, and century-old kabuki theater, Yachiyoza. Yachiyoza is not only a cultural symbol of Yamaga but also one of Japan's valuable examples of wooden theater architecture, renowned for its unique wooden structure and beautiful Japanese architectural style.
The theater retains many traditional features, including a revolving stage, rising platforms, brass chandeliers, box seating, and ceiling advertisements... I sat here for a long time, breathing in the scent of the wooden building. Closing my eyes, I could feel the theater's rise and fall over the years. Today, it hosts not only theatrical performances but also other cultural events. Across the street, Yume Kogura, converted from a white-walled storehouse, displays valuable items such as stage props and costumes.
The afternoon sun was hidden behind the clouds as I strolled leisurely through the streets and soaked my feet with Kumamon. Nice〜 -
-
Setouchi Area Pass
The Setouchi region is beloved by both domestic and international travelers for its diverse range of attractions-picturesque landscapes created by nature, historic sites, and the lively atmosphere of bustling cities. With famous landmarks scattered across the area, there’s no shortage of sights to see, making it a destination worth exploring at a relaxed pace.
"Sora no Tama / Kankakei" is an installation artwork created by renowned Japanese sculptor Noe Aoki for the Setouchi Triennale. It is currently a very popular photo spot and scenic viewpoint on Shodoshima. From the mountaintop station of the Kankakei Ropeway, it takes about a 10-minute walk along the trail toward Takatori Observatory to get there.
"Sora no Tama" is a giant hollow iron sphere with a diameter of about 4 meters. Its surface naturally oxidizes over time and through the changing seasons, and the resulting tones blend perfectly with the scenery of Kankakei. Visitors can step inside the iron sphere and admire the view through its circular rings. There is also a phone stand nearby, positioned at a convenient angle for taking photos with "Sora no Tama" and capturing a one-of-a-kind silhouette. -
