If you're strolling around Yakage Town, stop by here 🚙
There's a lot of "local mascot goods", sweets, folk crafts, etc. 👍
I bought a big Yakappy-kun bag
It's super cute 😍
Just before 6am on September 12th, the service I received from a fairly aged female shop assistant was awful.
I visited the facility because it was part of the Hoshi Meguri Mobile Stamp Rally.
There was no explanation other than that the checkpoint was there, so after searching around and asking the clerk, she simply replied, "It's right here."
When I asked again if I could check it, she coldly replied with a puzzled look, "You can't do that unless you purchase over 1,000 yen."
I couldn't find any explanation anywhere.
If they want to attract tourists, don't they need to provide more careful explanations and customer service?
I hope they do a better job of training their employees.
I don't want to go there again, and I don't want to buy anything there either.
It was a very disappointing experience.
This tourist information center was renovated from a quaint townhouse.
They also sell souvenirs.
It's conveniently located across from the Omotenashi Daiichi Parking Lot.
There was a morning market and I went because my favorite store was there😆
I wondered how big it would be but it was small...But there were a lot of customers and the free parking lot was full.
I wonder if it was run by locals?
I feel like it could be a little more lively, but I guess it's fine as it is (lol)
I bought some shrimp rice and took it home‼️
Yakage Machiya Koryukan is a cultural exchange facility housed in a restored traditional machiya (townhouse) in Yakage, a historic post-town in Okayama Prefecture. The building serves as both a tourist information center and community venue, offering visitors insight into traditional Japanese architecture while providing spaces for cultural events, exhibitions, and gatherings. The ground floor features local product sales and event information, while the upper floors contain rental spaces including the Taniyama Salon, a multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 100 people for concerts, lectures, and performances.
Entry to Yakage Machiya Koryukan is free for general visitors who want to explore the building, browse local products, or obtain tourist information. However, rental fees apply if you wish to use the event spaces on the second floor, including the Japanese-style rooms and the Taniyama Salon, for private gatherings, meetings, or exhibitions. The specific rental fees vary depending on the space and duration of use.
The facility is easily accessible by both train and car. If traveling by train, take the Ibara Railway to Yakage Station, then walk approximately 10 minutes to reach the Koryukan. For those driving, the venue is located about 20 minutes from the Sanyo Expressway Kamogata IC. Parking is not available at the facility itself, but visitors can use the nearby tourist parking lot in the Yakage post-town area.
Yakage Machiya Koryukan is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. The facility closes during the year-end and New Year holiday period. It's advisable to check ahead if you're planning to visit during this time or if you want to confirm any special closure dates for events or maintenance.
Visitors can experience authentic machiya architecture and learn about traditional post-town life in the Edo period. The facility serves as an excellent starting point for exploring Yakage's preserved historic streetscape. You can obtain information about local attractions, purchase regional specialty products, and view exhibitions or attend cultural events held in the venue. The Taniyama Salon regularly hosts concerts, rakugo performances, lectures, and public readings, making it a vibrant hub for experiencing both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.
