What other travelers are saying about Aoyama History Village
A good deal to get the package ticket for the four museums for 600 Yen. They are all close to each other, and individually quite small so can easily be covered in a few hours.
This one showcases a larger historic building and a garden that you can just soak in without any crowds. There are also some nice exhibits of wooden printing blocks and books.
This was the villa of the Aoyama family, lords of Sasayama Domain. We toured the building known as "Katsuraensha," and saw exhibits of heirlooms handed down through the Aoyama family, as well as blueprints of Sasayama Castle.
A stone safe known as a "Sekizo Kanebitsu" (stone chest) was on display, apparently buried underground beneath a storehouse. Its impressive stone lid was impressive.
There were also numerous woodblocks, each with exquisitely hand-carved, detailed characters.
[Highlights]
① Katsuraensha
② Stone Chest
③ Woodblocks
[Other]
● Visitor Time: 15-30 minutes
● Admission: 300 yen
● 4-Venue Ticket Available
Aoyama Historical Village is centered around Katsura-ensha, the villa of the Aoyama family, former lords of Sasayama Domain, and consists of three storehouses and the former Sawai family tenement gate.
The Woodblock Museum is particularly worth seeing, with its many woodblock prints related to Chinese classics.
Other historical and cultural materials from the Edo period include a request map for repairs to the stone walls of Sasayama Castle, seals, and a summary of the domain's administration.
Katsura-ensha was built as a villa for the Aoyama family after the return of the domain to the Emperor, and houses not only domain administration documents, but also items related to the Aoyama family and the collection of books from Shintokudo, the Sasayama domain school.
This is a place where you can get a sense of the architectural style and culture of the time.
Near the entrance are the Dekansho Dancer Statue and the Takagi Mansion Gate.
This historical and cultural facility consists of the villa of the Aoyama family, former feudal lords of Sasayama domain, known as "Katsuraensha," a storehouse, and the former Sawai family tenement gate, and its collection of local historical materials is open to the public.
It is located opposite the remains of the Ote-umadashi (main horse-drawn carriage) site of Sasayama Castle.
The municipal parking lot in front of the main station is conveniently free for under an hour.
If you plan to visit all four of the surrounding historical and cultural facilities, a combined admission ticket is a good deal.
On a hot, sunny weekend, the facility was almost completely booked.
There was also a museum and antenna shop for the "Dekansho Festival."
They also sold Sasayama cider and black bean tea.
Even though it was a Saturday, it was quiet and I was able to take my time looking around. It seems like the ticket that includes all four buildings, including the Oshoin, is a cheaper option. The receptionist was very friendly.
It's not very large, so if you just want to have a quick look around, it only takes about 30 minutes.
The four buildings are close together, so I parked in the Oshoin parking lot and walked around. It seems like the tourist attractions are clustered together in a 500-meter radius.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aoyama History Village is an open-air museum displaying relocated thatched-roof farmhouses from the Edo period. The site contains traditional residences, storehouses, and workspaces with original interiors, period tools, furniture, and household items from the Tanba region's agricultural past.
By car, take the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway to Tannan-Sasayama-guchi exit, approximately 90 minutes from Osaka or Kobe. By public transport, take the JR Fukuchiyama Line to Sasayamaguchi Station, then transfer to a local bus bound for Sasayama. Total travel time from Osaka is roughly two hours.
The village offers occasional demonstrations of traditional crafts including straw weaving, indigo dyeing, and pottery making. Some activities allow visitor participation. Demonstration schedules vary.
Autumn offers fall foliage, while early summer features green landscapes. The village is open year-round. Check the schedule if you want to attend craft demonstration days.
