Japan Heritage Sites
See
Places to enjoy in the Chugei Region
See the architectural remains of the forest railway and the yuzu orchards along the Yuzu Road. Enjoy both the sights and scents of the Chugei Region's woodland villages.-
Yuzu Road
The forest railway tracks that once transported lumber transformed into yuzu orchards. Simply passing through the colorful and aromatic scenery of the yuzu orchards is a delight.
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The Tree and its Fruit
(Kitagawa Village, Umaji Village, Yasuda Village)In the yuzu orchards, dainty white flowers bloom in early summer, and at the peak of summer the trees display brilliant green leaves and fruit. In Autumn, the fruit turn a dark yellow as they ripen, and the area is filled with its refereshing scent.
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The Old Town of Nahari (Nahari Town)
Nahari Town is the passageway to Awa Province, and flourished as the junction of the Tosa Tokai Road leading to Muroto and the Noneyama Road leading to None and Kannoura. The town produced many enterpreneurs and the structures that capture the traditional culture of the town can still be seen today.
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The Original Home of Nakaoka Shintaro and Museum
A drama series that was filmed here on site features the life of Shintaro and the Meiji Restoration. Feel the life of the people of this time through the displayed historical materials.
Kashiwagi 140, Kitagawa-mura, Aki-gun, Kochi Prefecture
TEL.0887-38-8600 -
Former Ichikawa Hospital
(Yasuda Machinami Visitor Center: Nagomi)The buildings that were once the residence of the Kashiwara family and the Ichikawa Hospital located in the shopping arcade of Yasuda are now used as the town's visitor center, Nagomi. The Kashiwara family residence was built in the Taisho to early Showa architectural style of eastern Kochi, which uses plenty of natural Yanase lumber. 土The Ichikawa Hospital building that is connected through an earth floor is in the retro, eastern style of the Taisho era. Inside the building, you can find materials about the local pioneers of the Meiji Restoration, such as Junzo Takamatsu.
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Senbonyama Mountain
Natural Yanase cedar is known for its high quality, and while most of it has been cut down, Senbonyama Mountain still has old-growth forests with average tree ages of 200-300 years. See the primitive landscape of enormous Yanase cedar trees and enjoy a hike along the Senbonyama hiking trail.
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Nomura Steam Locomotive
(Umaji Village Yanase Maruyama Park)Built in a factory in Nahari, the Nomura steam locomotive played an important role in the mass transportation of wood during the Showa period. The Nomura L69 steam locomotive has been restored and is now displayed at Yanase Maruyama Park in Umaji Village. Train rides are available on Sundays and holidays.
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Former Yanase Forest Railway Structure Horigao Bridge
Adjacent to Horigao tunnel, this plain concrete closed-spandrel single arch bridge crosses over the Nahari River. It was one of the largest-scale in Japan when it was constructed in 1941 (Showa period). On each side of the bridge is a waiting area and in the center is a trapezoidal balcony. It is reminiscent of the olden days of the forest railway.
Important Cultural Property (Structures)
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Former Yanase Forest Railway Structure Futamata Bridge
Built in 1940 during the Showa period. One of Japan's largest unreinforced concrete bridges.
Important Cultural Property (Structures)
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Former Yanase Forest Railway Structure Koshima Bridge
This single-track steel truss bridge was built in 1932 (Showa period) to cross over the Nahari River. With a length of 143 meters, this forest railway bridge is one of the largest in the Chugei Region. Being a combination of both a truss and girder bridge, its presence is impressive even from far away.
Important Cultural Property (Structures)
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Former Yanase Forest Railway Structure Myojinguchi Bridge Built in 1929. Through-truss steel bridge.
This through-truss steel bridge which measures 43.2 meters in length is listed as an Important Cultural Property. The Yanase Forest Railway was built from 1911 until 1942 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce in order to transport lumber from the Yanase area of eastern Kochi, and it travelled through Eya Tunnel and across Yasuda River, supporting the Chugei Region's forestry industry. The bridge has now been paved into a road for daily transportation.
Important Cultural Property (Structures)
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Former Yanase Forest Railway Structure Gomi Tunnel
This stone tunnel is located along the Yasuda River in a place considered to be the entrance to Umaji Village. It was built in 1911 (Meiji period) with the opening of the Yasuda River line. In order to build a driving road over the bridge, it was buried in dirt, however, the arched entrance and approximately 5.5 meters of the bridge still remain on the upstream side of the river.
Important Cultural Property (Structures)
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Former Yanase Forest Railway Structure Eya Tunnel
Built in 1911. Dry stone wall tunnel made of sandstone.
Important Cultural Property (Structures)
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Former Yanase Forest Railway Structure Hoonji Overpass
This stone arch bridge (overpass) located west of the Nahari lumberyard on the north side of the old road leads from Sanko-in Temple to the old road. The overpass, which is also the entrance to Sanko-in Temple, was made to pass the forest railway through. It was built with the opening of the Tachioka to Nahari line in 1933 (Showa period).
Important Cultural Property (Structures)
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Oka Goten Palace
The Oka family, wealthy merchants of early modern Japan, who were known to be one of Tano's five most powerful merchants, built the palace in 1844 as an accommodation for the clan lord.On display are materials related to the Oka Family, who made a name for themselves in the lumber and cargo businesses and had strong ties with the Tosa Clan for procuring taxes.
2147-1 Tano-cho, Aki-gun, Kochi-ken
TEL.0887-38-3385Important Cultural Property (Structures)
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Mountain Cinema: Daishin Gekijo Theater
The Daishin Gekijo theater is filled with an air of Showa period nostalgia. Old movie posters are hung on the walls in this popular cinema that attracts visitors from all around Japan.
Experience
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Monet's Garden(Kitagawa Village）
A reproduction of the impressionist painter Claude Monet's home garden. This is the only garden that has been allowed to officially use the name Monet's Garden.
This is the ideal place to unwind from the daily grind of life. -
Forest Railway Train Ride (Umaji Hot Spring)
This is a replica of the steam locomotive that ran in front of Umaji Hot Spring primarily to transport Yanase cedar Until 1955. The ride is about 10 minutes long and travels two laps around a 300-meter course.
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Forest Railway Train Ride
(Umaji Village, Yanase)The old railway was an important method of transportation in the glory days of forestry, carrying lumber, people and resources and it has now been revived.
At Yanase Maruyama Park and Umaji Onsen in Umaji Village, you can experience a ride on the old forest railway train. This exhilarating ride through nature is a popular attraction for everyone, especially children. A Nomura diesel locomotive that has been maintained in working condition is a rare sight in Japan, but you can find one at Yanase Maruyama Park. Many railway fans visit the park for the rare opportunity to conduct the train. -
Yuzu no Mori Factory Tour
（Umaji Village）See the production line of the popular yuzu drink Gokkun. Reservations are not required for this tour.
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Japan Heritage Associated Cultural Properties Guided tour
As you travel along the Yuzu Road, which has become a Japan Heritage, see the remnants and experience the history left behind from what was once a flourishing lumber town.
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Village Tour Guide Club
Guided tours of Japan Heritage Cultural Properties and nature walks are offered by the members of the Official Umaji Village Tour Guide Club. They also promote exchange between visitors and local villagers. Reservations are required.
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Senbonyama Mountain Hiking
From the entrance of the hiking trail, cross the Nishigawa River over the Sennen Bridge and see the famous Osugi cedar tree of Senbonyama Mountain. This massive cedar tree has been selected as one of the top 100 largest trees of Japan by the Forestry Agency. It is at least 250 years old, reaching a height of 54 meters with a diameter of over two meters.
Umaji-mura, Aki-gun, Kochi-ken
TEL.0887-43-2211 (Umaji-mura Yanase Office) -
Yuzu Handmade Workshops
Yuzu handmade workshops are available at the yuzu cosmetics factory at Umaji Agricultural Cooperative. From yuzu seed moisturizer to handmade yuzu soap and bath salts, this workshop is easy and enjoyable for both adults and children. Slow down and enjoy the fragrance of Umaji yuzu (reservations are necessary).
Eat
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Inaka-zushi
An assortment of sushi made of vinegar rice with a punch of yuzu, topped with vegetables and ingredients from the mountain. Not only is it made with delicious local ingredients, but it is also a delight for the eyes with its yellow bamboo, black shiitake mushrooms, pink Japanese ginger, and green taro stem arrangements.
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Yuzu Cuisine
Yuzu, which has been used by the Japanese for over a thousand years, is essential to Japanese cuisine.
In the Chugei Region, it is used in home cooking and also considered a necessity in traditional platters served for feasts.
From yuzu vinegar to yuzu sushi and yuzu sake, there are many ways to enjoy this citrus. -
Gokkun (Umaji Village)
Gokkun is the official drink of Umaji Village, made with only local water, yuzu and honey.
This drink is popular nationwide. -
Kitagawa Village is Japan's leading producer of yuzu.
Yuzu juice is used in gourment cuisine for its high quality and robsut fragrance. There are also many other products made of yuzu to be enjoyed.
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Umaji Village is Japan's leading producer of yuzu.
Yuzu products are constantly being created in this peaceful mountain forest. Gokkun Umajimura is the village's official yuzu drink made with the simple ingredients of water and yuzu from Umaji Village and honey. There are also many other products such as yuzu ponzu, a sauce made with the perfect balance of mild bonito broth and yuzu.
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Natural Sweetfish
Sweetfish raised in the pristine rivers of the Chugei Region. Natural sweetfish has little bitterness and is defined by its umami and flavor.
The sweetfish of Yasuda River has won the National Sweetfish Award twice.
In the Chugei region, it is also served as sushi. -
Sake Breweries of the Chugei Region
Minami, Tosa-Tsuru, and Hamakawa are the beloved sake breweries of the locals. The plentiful rain that flows into the rivers of Yanase Forest, one of the three most beatiful cedar forests of Japan, provides the pristine water which is the lifeblood of sake. The sake breweries of the Chugei Region are famous throughout Japan, and Tosa-Tsuru's sake has won the most highly regarded gold prize in the Annual Japan Sake Awards.
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Yuzu Sake
This soft, mild yuzu sake is a regional specialty of the Chugei Region, made in the traditional style using local yuzu.
Relax
During the yuzu harvest season, enjoy soaking in a hot bath filled with yuzu fruit.
After a tiring day, soak in the bath and relax in the fragrance of yuzu.
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Umaji Hot Spring
The sodium bicarbonate and chloride properties of this hot spring are effective in treating wounds, burns and rheumatic diseases. The bathing room offers an amazing view of the Yasuda river and mountains of Umaji. It is also known for its beautifying effects on skin.
At the restaurant, enjoy delicacies such as hot pots made with wild boar or the Tosa Jiro egg and yuzu hot pot. -
Yanase no Yu Hot Spring
The plentiful hydrogen carbonate ion in this hot spring is known to soften and clarify skin.
It is popular for making skin smooth and moisturized. Bathe in the lush forest scenery of the Yanase mountains.
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TanoTano Hot Spring
This hot spring is one of Japan's top three hotsprings for beauty.
The facility has an onsen, sauna, water bath, lay- down bath, and treadmills. After getting some exercise and working up a sweat, wash it all away in the hot spring. -
Kitagawamura Hot Spring
Kitagawa Village's Yuzu no Yado is the first hot spring facility in Japan to be built using CLT. It is a two-story building with a total floor area of 1,476㎡ and has gained attention nationwide.