Discover another hidden gem nestled in the southern Fukuoka Prefecture: Yame is recognised for its high-quality tea production and rich cultural experiences, showcasing Japan's artisanal heritage. Take a journey through Japan's traditional culture and craftsmanship.
Traditional craftsmanship
Yame's strategic location near the Yabe River played a crucial role in its development during the Edo Period (1603-1868), when the town became a center for transporting raw materials and finished goods to larger cities, including Edo (modern-day Tokyo)—a community of artisans and merchants whose skills were passed down through generations and are still celebrated today.
You can visit the Yame Dento Kogeikan (Yame Traditional Handicrafts Centre) and explore the town's traditional crafts. Mainly known for its butsudan (Buddhist altars), paper and stone lanterns, bamboo baskets, and hand-made washi paper, many visitors can admire these creations, purchase them as souvenirs, and even witness live demonstrations of traditional skills like paper-making and basket weaving.
Yame's paper-making tradition dates back to the 13th century and is especially significant. Visitors can try creating washi paper using kozo (mulberry) and mitsumata (oriental paperbush) fibers. While your paper dries, you can also explore the handicraft center or enjoy a traditional lunch of dago-jiru, a hearty dumpling soup, near the centre.
Merchant houses
Witness a collection of merchant houses, known as Igura, characterised by wooden cladding on the ground level and white plaster walls above. Many homes feature artistic embellishments, such as bas-relief carvings of fruits, vegetables, or playful mice. Visitors can also witness the restored houses and gardens, some restored to their 19th-century glory and others transformed into cozy coffee shops, cafes, or craft stores. Furthermore, you can look for Ebisu statues, small figures of the god of merchants and fishermen who protect the district's commercial prosperity.
Sake Breweries
Yame's natural resources, including fresh water and high-quality rice, make it an ideal location for sake production. The town's Kitaya sake brewery, established in 1620, has earned numerous awards for its exceptional sake, and it is even exported internationally. Visitors to Kitaya can enjoy a sake tasting and admire the historic brewery building, complete with a traditional sugi-tama. This cedar ball signals when the sake is ready to drink.
Another great spot for sake enthusiasts is the Sakaguchi Liquor Store near Nipponia. For those seeking other refreshments, Café MITOTE, next door to the liquor store, offers coffee and sweets in a beautifully restored machiya setting.
The legacy of Fukushima Castle
Before Yame's rise as a commercial and artisanal center, the town had the makings of a castle town. Although Fukushima Castle was dismantled in the early 17th century by order of the shogunate, its foundations can still be seen in Yame Park. Nearby, the Fukushima Hachiman Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Ojin and Empress Jingu, offers a peaceful retreat by the canal that once served as part of the castle's moat. This shrine, while modest in size, is now a popular site for visitors.
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Source: Japan Today
