Japan travel: Best things to do, eat and see in Iwakuni and Yanai in Yamaguchi Prefecture

http://bit.ly/2QT974a Oona McGee

Day two of our epic adventure includes an ancient soy sauce factory, pressed sushi, and rabbit-eared samurai helmets.

Following on from day one of our tour around Yamaguchi Prefecture, as part of a trip arranged by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, we’re now back with more gems from day two of our journey.

This time we’ll be taking a look at the best things to do, see, and eat in Iwakuni and Yanai, two places which deserve to be at the top of the list on any travel itinerary to the prefecture. And it’s all been arranged by locals, who want to share the best secrets from the area so travellers from Japan and overseas can enjoy them all!

Walk over wooden arches at Kintaikyo

We start the day with one of the most iconic sites in all of Yamaguchi: Kintaikyo. A National Treasure and one of Japan’s “three famous bridges”, along with Meganebashi in Nagasaki and Nihonbashi in Tokyo, Kintaikyo is a stunning historic pedestrian bridge and well worth the 300-yen (US$2.76) fee charged for a return crossing over its wooden arches.

▼ Kintaikyo is also known as “Kintai Bridge” or “Kintaikyo Bridge”.

First completed in 1673, after a number of straight bridges had washed away in the strong currents of the Nishiki River, the multi-arched bridge was eventually destroyed by a typhoon in 1950. During this post-war period, a lot of the country’s cultural properties suffered neglect, but residents were determined to faithfully rebuild the bridge, completing the reconstruction in 1953.

▼ At the turn of the 21st century, Kintaikyo underwent its first renovations since its 1953 reconstruction, to the tune of over 2 billion yen (US$18,424,700).

Not only is it fun to walk up and down over the five wooden arches, it’s also a great place to soak up some history as you get to imagine what it was like back when the bridge was exclusively used by samurai travelling to the castle.

Soak up samurai history at Iwakuni Art Musem 

A short stroll from Kintaikyo is Kikko Park, a quiet and peaceful space which once belonged to the ruling daimyo during the Edo Period (1603-1868). Some historic buildings, like former samurai residences remain, and there are places where you can see cormorant birds and white snakes on display, but one of the gems you shouldn’t miss is the Iwakuni Art Musem. 

This museum has a huge collection of impressive samurai-related artefacts on display, including swords, armour and weapons. They even have a collection of genuine samurai helmets, adorned with unusual motifs like clamshells, crab claws and rabbit ears, which were used to symbolise characteristics like strength and speed to both the wearer and those on the battlefield.

You could easily spend a few hours here, gazing at all the samurai artefacts and the special seasonal exhibits. The collection even includes Japanese National Treasures and items that have been lent to the New York Metropolitan Museum, making this one of the most impressive museums in the whole country.

Eat Iwakuni sushi at Hirasei

Founded back in 1858, Hirasei has everything you’d want from a top Japanese lunch spot: beautifully presented meals on trays, a stunning view of the city’s most iconic landmark, and a relaxed, traditional atmosphere.

▼ If you can get a window seat on the second floor, you’ll be treated to this gorgeous sight.

It’s also a great place to try Iwakuni-zushi, a type of pressed sushi made in a wooden box and topped with colourful ingredients such as shredded egg crepe, mashed seasoned fish, and shiitake mushrooms. It’s an absolutely delicious local specialty that’s been passed down in Iwakuni for generations.

Visit a traditional soy sauce factory

Not far from Iwakuni is Yanai, a city with a rich cultural history that’s still being preserved today. One of their special products is Kanro soy sauce, which is still being made and sold in a traditional factory that dates back to 1830.

Sagawa factory maintains traditional methods of making soy sauce, using large wooden vats and an original double-processing method which requires an additional year of fermentation compared to usual varieties.

The resulting soy sauce is extra dark, flavourful and aromatic, and very different to the ones available at supermarkets. The factory also has a store where you can buy different types of kanro soy sauce, which make great souvenirs for friends and family back home.

Make your own goldfish lantern to take home

As well as being famous for its traditional soy sauce factory, Yanai is also well known for its beautifully preserved “Shirakabe no Machi” or “White-walled Town”. The whitewashed buildings here are adorned with a number of cute red-and-white goldfish lanterns, a famous local handicraft with a history that stretches back to the Edo Period.

The town offers a 30-minute workshop where you can make your very own goldfish lantern to take home, and it’s a really fun and easy activity that people of all ages can enjoy.

Small lanterns can be made for 800 yen, while large versions cost 900 yen. Each style is easy to make, with helpful instructions from friendly staff making it a fun and memorable experience.

Iwakuni and Yanai are two historic places filled with a whole lot of traditional beauty and proud local customs. A trip to the area will leave you hungry for more adventure, which is a good thing because we’ve got more to explore on day three tomorrow!

Kintaikyo / 錦帯橋
Address: Yamaguchi-ken, Iwakuni-shi, Imazumachi 1-14-51
山口県岩国市今津町1-14-51
Website

Iwakuni Art Musem / 岩国美術館
Address: Yamaguchi-ken, Iwakuni-shi, Yokoyama 2-10-27
山口県岩国市横山2-10-27
Website

Hirasei / ひらせい
Address: Yamaguchi-ken, Iwakuni-shi, Iwakuni 1-2-3
山口県岩国市岩国1-2-3
Website

Sagawa Soy Sauce Factory / 佐川醤油店
Address: Yamaguchi-ken, Yanai-shi, Yanai 3708-1
山口県柳井市柳井3708-1
Website

Goldfish Lantern Making Experience at Yanai Seizo / やない西蔵
Address: Yamaguchi-ken, Yanai-shi, Yanai 3700-8
山口県柳井市柳井33700-8
Website

Photos ©Oona McGee/SoraNews24