Shirakabe Fureai Square

Get the brochure of Yanai and the map of white-walled historic area

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The Kunimori Residence

The Kunimori Residence was built in the mid-Edo period (the late 18th century) and remains unchanged up until today. The Kunimori Family was one of the most wealthy merchants in Yanai, engaged in business and trading of lamp oil and hair oil. Their residence is one of the rare types of white-walled merchant houses during the Edo period because the white plastered 2-story storehouse has its entrance in one of the gable ends. It is constructed with a hip-and-gable roofing method, where square and round slates are laid alternately. The builders' creative contrivances to prepare for the frequent fires and the prevention of burglars and robbery are must see technique.

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Kanro Soy Sauce Museum（Sagawa Soy Sauce Brewery）

Kanro Shoyu (vintage soy sauce) was invented in Yanai 200 years ago. Its production process utilizes a unique technique of double-stage fermentation and was loved by the local feudal lord Yoshikawa. The vintage flavor of soy sauce and unique production process have been preserved by two local soy sauce breweries, both of them still remain in the downtown. One of them is Sagawa Soy Sauce Brewery which is now open to the public as museum as well, you will have a chance to learn the special production processes of this vintage soy sauce and see various traditional tools, such as large tub barrels made of Japanese cedar wood.

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Yanai Townhouse Museum・Utako Matsushima Memorial

　周防銀行本店として明治40年（1907年）に建築された建物で、当時の銀行の重厚な姿を今日に伝える、日本でも数少ない建物の一つです。
　1階は、町並み資料館として町並み保存地区の町家模型を展示し、2階は、柳井市出身の歌手、故松島詩子の記念館になっています。

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Shoko-an Temple（Willow tree and well）

Shoko-an is a temple of the Soto Zen Sect, which has a legend that the area name of "Yanai" is originally derived from the willow tree planted there. About 1,400 years ago, the Princess Hannya, a daughter of a local wealthy man, Manono Choja in Bungo (the south of Oita) was struck by a terrible storm in the off shore of Heigun Island on her way to Kyoto to reunite with the Prince Tachibanano Toyohi (later Emperor Yohmei). Because of this, she was forced to sail back to the shore of Yanaitsu. There, she asked a local man to give her fresh water. She was so pleased with the well water that she put a tiny willow branch next to the well to express her gratitude. The branch sprouted and grew to be a large willow tree overnight. According to the folklore, people say that the well water will make your body and spirit as beautiful and pure as the Princess Hannya. This temple is also famous for a statue of Kokūzō Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Wisdom & Memory), one of the only three existing statues in Japan, which you can see in the hall on the west side of the temple.

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Yanai Station

Get the brochure of Yanai and the map of white-walled historic area

Shoko-an Temple（Willow tree and well）

Shoko-an is a temple of the Soto Zen Sect, which has a legend that the area name of "Yanai" is originally derived from the willow tree planted there. About 1,400 years ago, the Princess Hannya, a daughter of a local wealthy man, Manono Choja in Bungo (the south of Oita) was struck by a terrible storm in the off shore of Heigun Island on her way to Kyoto to reunite with the Prince Tachibanano Toyohi (later Emperor Yohmei). Because of this, she was forced to sail back to the shore of Yanaitsu. There, she asked a local man to give her fresh water. She was so pleased with the well water that she put a tiny willow branch next to the well to express her gratitude. The branch sprouted and grew to be a large willow tree overnight. According to the folklore, people say that the well water will make your body and spirit as beautiful and pure as the Princess Hannya. This temple is also famous for a statue of Kokūzō Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Wisdom & Memory), one of the only three existing statues in Japan, which you can see in the hall on the west side of the temple.

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Muroya-no-sono

Muroya is a trade name of the Oda Family who prospered as oil merchant in Edo Period. Later they became one of the most wealthy merchant houses in western Japan. The family owned as many as 50 trading ships during the Edo Period and its trading area expanded from Kyushu to Osaka. Today, this is one of Japan's biggest merchant houses well-preserved since that era, having 11 buildings with 35 rooms including a main house, a main warehouse, an accounting house, a rice warehouse, a tool shed and a Chugen samurai room. By looking at various living wares and business tools displayed in the museum, you will know how prosperous the family was during that time. The museum also holds special events such as seasonal displays and photo exhibitions.

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Yanai Nishigura

This white plastered, 1-story wooden storehouse was built as a soy sauce brewery in the late Taisho Period (around 1920's) . Many people used to call it in its nickname "Nishigura" up until 1980. In order to preserve the building as a valuable historical and cultural heritage, its facade, interior pillars and frames have been maintained as original state. It is now utilized as "Yanai Nishigura", a craft center and a gallery.

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Shirakabe Gakuyukan

This white-walled Resource and Study Centre exhibits various artifacts related to Yanai's history, folklore and traditional cultures. Visitors can see many old tools, household goods and vintage goldfish-shaped lanterns, as well as the information regarding Doppo Kunikida, a great Japanese novelist of the Meiji period. The centre sometimes holds workshops called "Shirakabe Onando Juku" so that local people will be able to join and learn about the historical aspect of Yanai.

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