A relaxed stroll through the townscape from Takehara Station

Central Area (Historic Townscape District & More)

Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings

Day Trip Course

Recommended Travel Season： Spring ／ Summer ／ Fall ／ Winter

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A relaxed stroll through the townscape from Takehara Station

A must-see for anyone who wants to really soak up the town’s historic charm. This is a streetscape-only course where you can take a relaxed, leisurely stroll.

Route

Day 1

1 Takehara Station
2 Takehara Tourist Information Center
3 Former Kasai Residence
4 Pottery Studio Fudo
5 Taketsuru Sake Brewery
6 Former Matsusaka Family Residence
7 Fumeikaku (Saihoji Temple)
8 Masataka Taketsuru Rita Bronze Statue
9 Takehara City Museum of History and Folklore
10 Okakae Jizo
11 Kodo Shrine
12 Fujii Shuzo – Sake Brewery Exchange Hall –
13 Former Mitsumoto Family Residence
14 Former Morikawa Family Residence
15 Slow Cafe Nakazawa
16 Michi-no-Eki Takehara (Roadside Station)

Day 1

Takehara Station

1-minute walk

Takehara Tourist Information Center

Packed with Takehara sightseeing info! Please feel free to drop by before you head out to explore Takehara.
If you’re short on time, we recommend exploring by bicycle!
The Tourist Information Center also offers rental bicycles.
Just ask us anytime!

Business Hours: 9:00–17:00

Closed: New Year holidays (December 29 – January 3)

15 min on foot

Former Kasai Residence

Built in 1872 as the home of a “Hama-danna” (salt-field owner). It features a large roof with traditional tile roofing and side walls, and the beams on the second floor are especially impressive. It’s also used as a venue for various events and concerts, including the Hina Doll Festival.

Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Closed: Irregular holidays, Year-end and New Year holidays (December 26–January 4)

1-minute walk

Pottery Studio Fudo

Relax and enjoy pottery and painting in a traditional old house
A small pottery studio in the Takehara Historic Preservation District. From the second-floor window, you might spot “Soseki,” a cat with the title “Back Alley Tourism Section Chief, Takehara Branch Office, Hiroshima Prefecture,” and “Akamru,” a fluffy dog, occasionally peeking out at the street. Pottery experiences can be tailored to what you want—do the whole process or just painting. Reservations required.

Business Hours: Mon–Wed Fri 13:00–17:00
Sat, Sun holidays 10:00–17:00

Closed: Thu the last Wednesday of each month

30 sec on foot

Taketsuru Sake Brewery

Takezuru Sake Brewery, long known by the trade name “Ozasaya,” has been brewing sake for generations. It’s also the birthplace of Masataka Taketsuru, founder of Nikka Whisky and known as the “father of Japanese whisky.”
Masataka Taketsuru’s life and passion for whiskey served as the inspiration for the NHK morning drama series “Massan.”

Business Hours: 8:00–12:00 13:30–17:00

Closed: Saturdays and Sundays

30 sec on foot

Former Matsusaka Family Residence

Its bold presence—complete with a karahafu gable roof, eaves, and latticework—really stands out
A glamorous design with a distinctive, wave-like main roof, pale green plaster walls, large-wall construction, diamond-lattice bay windows with plastered window frames, and gently curved tiled lean-to roofs—giving it a unique atmosphere even among the townscape. Like the former Kasai Residence, it was once the home of a “Hama-danna” (salt-field owner).

Business Hours: 10:00–16:00

Closed: Wednesdays (open on holidays) Dec 27–Jan 3

3 min on foot

Fumeikaku (Saihoji Temple)

A Kannon hall standing on the hill at Saihoji Temple, built in imitation of Kiyomizudera in Kyoto. Visible from anywhere in town, it offers a sweeping view of Takehara. The steps up to Saihoji are also a great photo spot, often used in films and commercials!

Business Hours: Visiting hours: 8:00–18:00 (Thank you for your cooperation.)

3 min on foot

Masataka Taketsuru Rita Bronze Statue

Masataka Taketsuru, founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to whisky. His wife Rita supported him devotedly in Japan, far from her homeland. You can touch the statue! Why not stand beside them for a commemorative photo♪

30 sec on foot

Takehara City Museum of History and Folklore

The former home site of Shiotani Dosseki, a mid-Edo Confucian scholar
Housed in a Western-style building that was once a library, it holds materials on Takehara’s culture, history, folklore, salt industry, and local industries. A must-see if you want to learn about Takehara’s history!

Business Hours: 9:00–17:00

Closed: Every Tuesday (open on holidays) Dec 27–Jan 3

1-minute walk

10.

Okakae Jizo

It’s said that if you hold the Jizo statue while praying with your wish in mind, and it feels lighter than you imagined, your wish will come true.

30 sec on foot

11.

Kodo Shrine

Also well known from Nobuhiko Obayashi’s film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. It’s the largest and oldest structure among Takehara’s small shrines. Kodo, a deity of business, has various lucky charms hidden throughout. On the roof, along with cranes and turtles, you’ll find an eggplant (said to always bear fruit when it flowers) and a turnip—playing on the word “kabu,” as in “your stock rises.” How many can you spot!?

3 min on foot

12.

Fujii Shuzo – Sake Brewery Exchange Hall –

Over 150 years in business. A dedicated junmai brewery that brews using only rice and rice koji
Part of a 250-year-old wooden brewery is open to the public as the “Sake Brewery Exchange Hall.” Inside, you’ll find a free tasting corner and souvenirs such as carefully made handmade goods. Their “Sakehana” beauty soap, made with junmai ginjo sake lees, is a popular topic for its moisturizing and skin-beautifying effects, thanks to natural moisturizing ingredients♪

Business Hours: 10:00–16:00

Closed: Mondays (if a holiday, the following day)

1-minute walk

13.

Former Mitsumoto Family Residence

An annex sitting room of “Fukokukan,” built in the Edo period
In “Masayuki Imai: Pottery Museum,” a renovated storehouse, you can see inlay works by potter Masayuki Imai, featuring motifs such as fish from the Seto Inland Sea, flowers, and other living creatures that he loved from childhood.

Business Hours: 10:00–16:00

Closed: Tue, Wed, Thu

5-minute walk

14.

Former Morikawa Family Residence

A high-quality Taisho-era residence built on the prosperity of salt-field management
A grand Japanese-style residence of Hachiro Morikawa, former mayor of Takehara. Not only the main house and annex rooms, but even the bath and toilet remain intact. The refined Japanese garden has a calm, mature atmosphere. The tea room is said to have been designed by Fujian, a tea master of the Kobori Enshu school.

Business Hours: 10:00–16:00

Closed: (May be closed during the year-end/New Year holidays)

5-minute walk

15.

Slow Cafe Nakazawa

A shop selling local sake and natural foods at the entrance to the Historic Preservation District. At the tables, it’s also a nice moment to browse photo albums from Japan and abroad taken by the owner, a self-proclaimed “mountain girl” (maybe?). With a focus on natural ingredients, the menu features handmade items that take time and care, and the cafe’s organic coffee and brown-rice amazake are also popular.

Business Hours: 10:00–18:00 (meals from 12:00)

Closed: Irregular holidays

5-minute walk

16.

Michi-no-Eki Takehara (Roadside Station)

Located at the entrance to the Historic Preservation District, it’s convenient for shopping for souvenirs and taking a break. You’ll also find local fresh produce and specialty products, Japanese sake for sale, and a restaurant. The Campbell soft-serve made with Takehara’s specialty grapes, “Takehara Campbell,” is a popular local treat you’ll want to try when you’re here. You can also book a townscape guide and get plenty of Takehara sightseeing info! Luggage storage is also available for ¥500/day.