Kurayoshi 倉吉
Tottori's Medieval Japan
Kurayoshi is an old town located in the center of Tottori prefecture, in the Chugoku region. Originally, the city hosted the government of Hoki Province as well as a castle on the top of the hill. Discover a town where you can still breathe the air of ancient Japan!
Warehouses of the past
Kurayoshi is first and foremost known for its historic merchant district: Utsubuki-Tamagawa. Around 100 old buildings have been built over the centuries along the Little Tamagawa River, and are known as "shirakabe dozôgun akagawara", literally meaning "group of warehouses with white walls topped with red tiles".
Originally, these warehouses, built during the Edo (1603 - 1868) and Meiji (1868 - 1912) periods, had the function of receiving goods such as soy or sake.
Carp from the shirakabe dozogun akagawara district
JNTO
This district will enchant the visitor who will be able to stroll between tea rooms, art galleries, and workshops of local craftsmen, the warehouses having for the most part lost their original role.
The Tamagawa River, crossed at regular intervals by small stone bridges, has been laid out at the foot of the ancient white walls. Koi carp, red and black, swim quietly there under the memory of the old market activities of the Tokugawa era.
Note that the area has been designated by the Japanese authorities as an important traditional building conservation area.
- Read also: Bikan district
Utsubuki Park
Utsubuki Park is the perfect place to rest from the bustle of the historic district. Located about twenty minutes by bus from JR Kurayoshi station, it occupies the foot of Mount Utsubuki (204 meters high), which gives it some looks like a park occupied by a forest.
The entrance consists of a path with a small iconic red bridge crossing a pond, surrounded by flowering bushes. Several trails lead to the top of the mountain, where only rare traces of the castle that was built by the powerful lord Yamana Ujikiyo remain.
Utsubuki Park
JNTO
Utsubuki Park is also a great place for hanami during the sakura season. It is one of the most popular in the San'in region (Tottori and Shimane prefectures), with more than 4,000 cherry trees and 40,000 azaleas.
- Also Read: Cherry Blossom Rush
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
From JR Osaka station take the Super Hakuto to Jr Kurayoshi station (3 hrs).
