What other travelers are saying about Kamogata Machiya Park, Asakuchi
A park in Kamogata where you can learn about history.
My experience there was a bit mixed...😒
I thought I could enter the old buildings for free, but there was an admission fee, and even in the free areas, you only learn a little about history.
Japanese music was playing throughout the park, which seemed to create a Japanese atmosphere, but it didn't feel very Japanese at all.😓
The best parts were the play area with stilts and other play equipment, and the display of the seven herbs of spring.
(I'd only heard of the seven herbs of spring, but had never actually seen them.)
It's also great that it's located on a hill, offering views of the Kamogata townscape.👍
Kamogata Machiya Park, located in Asakuchi City, Okayama Prefecture, is a park with the theme of "history and relaxation," preserving and recreating Edo-period townhouse architecture.
The park is lined with precious mid-Edo townhouses, including the historic "Former Takato Residence," a prefecturally designated Important Cultural Property, allowing you to experience life back then. There's also an authentic Japanese garden within the park. There is also an exhibition room that was converted from a storehouse, and a rest area where you can enjoy tea, making it a popular place of relaxation for local residents and tourists alike.
The park is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The park is closed every Monday and Tuesday, as well as the day after a holiday. Visitors should check ahead if planning to visit near public holidays to avoid closures.
Entry to the park grounds is free, though some areas within the facility require admission fees. Specific fees apply to certain buildings or special exhibitions within the park complex. The Former Takato Family Residence and other designated cultural property areas may have separate charges.
The park is located approximately 2 kilometers north from JR Kamogata Station, which is on the Sanyo Line. From the station, visitors can take a taxi, local bus, or walk to the park. The journey from major cities like Okayama takes approximately 30-40 minutes by train to Kamogata Station.
Yes, parking facilities are available on-site for visitors traveling by car. The park is accessible from National Route 2, making it convenient for those driving from nearby cities or regions in Okayama Prefecture.
There are various exhibits inside the building that are fun to enjoy. This time we saw Hina dolls.
A volunteer gave us an explanation.
The park outside is also a great place to take a leisurely stroll.
I'd like to try the teahouse someday.
Kamogata Machiya Park
The gravestone of Nishiyama Setsuisai is located in Kamogata Machiya Park.
He was a leading Confucian scholar of the mid-Edo period in Okayama. He studied Confucianism and medicine in Osaka and Kyoto before returning to his hometown at the age of 39. Lamenting the disparity in academic traditions throughout the country at the time, he urged the shogunate Confucian scholar Shibano Kuriyama to unify the educational system and make Neo-Confucianism the official teaching. This led to the "Kansei Era Prohibition of Heterodox Learnings" educational reform implemented by Matsudaira Sadanobu the following year.
To be honest, I hadn't known about this until I went. It was great to be able to experience the unique history and culture of this area. The explanatory signs made it easier to understand.
It was my first time visiting Kamogata Machiya Park. The park isn't particularly large, but the 300-year-old Former Takato Family Residence became more and more impressive the more I looked at it.
The Hina doll exhibition had just finished, so I was lucky enough to be able to see it.
The Traditional Botanical Garden had plants that are commonly seen in the area, which was great for learning their names. There were also some plants I knew the names of but had never seen before.
The garden was so nice and clean with no trash! You can really feel the warmth of the people who take care of it. But unfortunately, the Hina dolls were on display a little early, so I couldn't see them.
