Dago-jiru is a miso or soy sauce-based soup containing hand-torn dumplings made from wheat flour dough, with a variety of seasonal vegetables such as carrots, daikon radish, taro, and shiitake mushrooms; the ingredients vary by household and restaurant. The term “dago” refers to “dango” in Kumamoto dialect, but “dago-jiru” or “dango-jiru” is enjoyed throughout the Kyushu region.
Kurogi Grand Wisteria, with an age exceeding 600 years, is designated as a natural monument of Japan. Located at the Susanoo Shrine, the wisteria features an extensive trellis that spreads over approximately 3,000 square meters. Each year around mid-April, it blooms, displaying hanging clusters of purple flowers that exceed one meter in length.
At “Pooh-san’s Strawberry Farm,” you can enjoy a variety of strawberries, including the popular and sweet “Amaou” brand known for its large size. The farm uses multi-tiered elevated cultivation, making it accessible and enjoyable even for small children. Additionally, the pathways are covered with sheets, allowing for wheelchair access and ensuring that footwear remains clean. The farm is open annually from January to early May.
In modern times, konnyaku is a common and affordable food ingredient available in supermarkets, but in the past, it was customary for households in mountainous areas like the Tachibana region of Yame City to make konnyaku from scratch. The traditional method involved boiling and mashing konnyaku yam, mixing it with lye extracted from wood ash, and then heating it to solidify. Although wood ash is no longer used, there are experiences available where participants can learn how to make safe, handmade konnyaku under the guidance of local mothers.
The former Ouchi Residence in Shiraki-no-sato, an old private house in the mountains of Tachibana town, is the birthplace of Chozo Ouchi, a politician who worked for friendly relations between Japan and China from the Meiji Era to the early Showa Era. At one time, the house was on the verge of being abandoned, but the preservation group for the former Ouchi Residence, led by local residents, has worked to preserve the house and restore it to its current state. Now designated as a cultural asset by Yame City, it has become a center for people to interact and inherit the culture of the area.
Learn about the history and manufacturing process of Yame Tea at this museum. You can also enjoy meals and desserts that use green tea as well as experience making matcha (fine powdered green tea) on traditional stone grinds and hand-rolling green tea leaves, among other workshops. The Shizuku Tea is a must try, to truly savor the exquisite Yame Dentou Hon Gyokuro tea.
This facility is themed around Daniel Ken Inouye, a man with ties to Joyo Town and a bridge of friendship between the U.S. and Japan. In addition to a permanent exhibition room about Daniel, the museum has a café and store where visitors can enjoy local food and Hawaiian food.
Embraced by a thousand cherry blossom trees, this is Okayama’s premier cherry blossom viewing spot. A symbol of Tsuyama City, selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Castles” and “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.” The castle was built in 1616 by Tadamasa Mori, the younger brother of Ranmaru Mori, who was killed in the Honnoji Incident. Although all the buildings were demolished under the Meiji government’s castle abolition order, the Bitchu Yagura turret was restored in 2005 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle’s construction. The turret, along with the impressive stone walls that stand about 45 meters high, has become a new popular spot. The castle is also known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, with about 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom creating a spectacular view. The illuminated cherry blossoms viewed from atop the stone walls are also a magnificent sight.
The townscape of the Josai district is woven together with temple and shrine architecture, traditional townhouses, and modern buildings. The building, constructed in 1917 (Taisho 6), is a two-story wooden structure featuring a dome at the front, with intricate decorations on the roof and windows. Each room has a fireplace made of different types of marble, and the building is registered as a cultural property by the national government. The café on the first floor is a lovely space, with walls made of traditional plaster and a high ceiling. Here, you can enjoy “Yōan Coffee,” named after Udagawa Yōan, a Western scholar from Tsuyama who is credited with coining the kanji characters for “coffee.” The townscape of the Josai district, which is a blend of temple and shrine architecture, traditional townhouses, and modern buildings, was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2020.
A daimyo (feudal lord) garden where you can enjoy the natural beauty of each season. This strolling garden was created by the second feudal lord of Tsuyama Domain, Mori Nagatsugu, who invited a landscape gardener from Kyoto. It was designed to resemble the Sentō Imperial Palace located within the Kyoto Imperial Garden. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of each season, including cherry blossoms in spring, water lilies in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter. The garden is now open to the public for free and is visited by many people. In September 2002, it was designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government under the name “Former Tsuyama Domain Villa Garden (Shurakuen).”
