home
Access

Access

What is Japan Heritage?

Every region in Japan has its own history, culture, townscapes and traditional events that have been shaped by nature, climate, historical events and local people over centuries.

Founded by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2015, Japan Heritage is a project that recognizes stories including these traditional & cultural properties, both tangible and intangible, that tell each region’s distinct historical and cultural background.

The main aim is to attract more tourists and revitalize communities and economies overshadowed by Japan’s biggest cities.

Ranging from iconic cultural properties known around the world to little-known gems far from the beaten track, Japan Heritage is a discovery into the real Japan.

Tsuwano and its Japan Heritage

Tsuwano is a small castle town at the western edge of Shimane Prefecture, near the border of Yamaguchi Prefecture. With a population of a little over 6,000 people, it is known as the "Little Kyoto of the San’in Region”.

Tsuwano is more a large village than a town, easily explored on foot or by rental bicycle.
Surrounded by lush greenery, the main street is lined by historical samurai buildings with white earthen walls and red roof tiles, portraying scenes of the Edo period.

With many festivities throughout the year, it is also home to the Taikodani Inari Shrine, one of the five greatest Inari Shrines in Japan.

　“Hyakkeizu : One Hundred Landscapes of Tsuwano”, was designated as one of Japan’s National Heritage from the year of its creation in 2015.

Getting to Tsuwano

By Car

If you are using a car navigation system, please enter the facility information below :

JR Tsuwano Train Station (+81) 0856-72-0072
Tsuwano Town Hall (+81) 0856-72-0650
Tsuwano Tourist Association (+81) 0856-72-1771

From Osaka : Muikaichi Interchange → Route 187 → Tsuwano
From Kyushu : Ogori interchange → Route 9 → Tsuwano

By Train

From Yamaguchi : Shin-yamaguchi Train Station → JR Yamaguchi Line → JR Tsuwano Train Station

By Bus

From Hagi : Hagi Central Bus Station → Bocho Bus → JR Tsuwano Train Station
(*The buses are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass

By Airplane

Tokyo (Haneda) Airport → ANA Flights → Hagi-Iwami Airport → (by bus or taxi) Masuda Train Station → JR Line → JR Tsuwano Train Station
Tokyo Airport → JAL or ANA Flights → Yamaguchi-Ube Airport → (by bus or train) Shin-yamaguchi Train Station → JR Yamaguchi Line → JR Tsuwano Train Station

Moving around in Tsuwano

Tsuwano is best explored on foot or by bicycle.

Bicycle rental shops can be found in Tsuwano (typically open from 8:00 to 17:00).
For standard bicycles, the rental fee is about 500 yen for two hours or 800 yen for the entire day.

About Tsuwano Japan Heritage Center

Tsuwano Japan Heritage Center provides a detailed exhibition on 2 floors including videos and displays of the highlights of Tsuwano through the “Hyakkeizu: One Hundred Landscapes of Tsuwano”.

Although half of the exhibition is in English, there is a free English audio guide available at the reception.
Furthermore an English speaking concierge can guide you through the history of this charming little town.

There is also a small souvenir shop at the entrance along with several children friendly workshops, such as the Doll Craft Workshop using washi, traditional Japanese paper.

Many visitors choose to stop by the Heritage Center at the beginning of their trip in Tsuwano as it also functions as a tourist information center, with many English pamphlets and tourist maps available in 6 different languages.

Please feel free to visit us !

Opening hours :	9：00 - 17：00
Closed	Mondays(or the following day if Monday is a holiday)
Tel:	(+81) 0856-72-1901
Fax	(+81) 0856-72-1902
Address	Shimane Prefecture, Kanoashi-gun, Tsuwano-cho, Ushiroda 253, JAPAN