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.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

Underneath the Oshima Bridge, which extends 1,020 meters from Obatake to Oshima, you can find one of Japan's 3 major tidal whirlpools. The bridge offers, especially to railway enthusiasts, a great photo opportunity of the JR Sanyo line trains running along the coastline on the Obatake side.
At Obatake Tourist Center, you can buy special local produces including agriproducts and seafood. Various lunch boxes such as Igai Meshi (hard-shelled mussels and rice) and other local products such as fruit jam and Kikka-su (tangerine vinegar) are quite popular.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 20-minute walk from JR Obatake Station
By Car : Approx. 15 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available
For Coaches : Not Available

閉じる

"Fureai Dokoro 437", Yanai City's interactive facility connecting the urban and rural areas, is located along the Route 437. At farmer's market, we sells a wide variety of agriproducts in Hizumi area. We also operate buffet style restaurant "Yamazato Hizumi" so that visitors will be enjoy a wide variety of dishes using fresh local products and vegetables. We also organize fun events all through the year, such as cabbage and sweet potato harvesting.


○Access
By Public Transportation : -
By Car : Approx. 15 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available（Free）
For Coaches : Possible

閉じる

Yamaguchi Flower Land is a park with beautiful flowers and greenery, surrounded by history and nature. There is an open space with grass where all the family can enjoy playing with balls and other play equipment. The park offers a pressed flower workshop making straps and coasters and also a gardening workshop. You can buy flowers and small goods at the gift shop and enjoy lunch and dinner at the restaurant next to the shop. Why not join a special tour with our park guide! (Reservation is required.)


○Access
By Public Transportation : 10 minutes by car from JR Yanai Station (If you use Sanwa Taxi, discount rate of 1000 JPY will be applied.)
By Car : Approx. 15 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : 300 cars (free)
For Coaches : Possible

閉じる

On the way from Kongouji-shita (near the Kongo-ji Temple) up to Mt. Mitsugatake forest road, you will find Rokudou Jizou (a stone statue of Buddha as a savior in the 6 Buddhist realms of existence) carved into a large rock wall and Kongosui, a spring of water which comes up from underneath it. Since ancient times, it has been believed that the sacred spring water would provide special power to cure any intractable diseases and plagues. Many people stop by during hiking/trekking on their way to Mt. Mitsugatake.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 45-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway (to the nearest parking lot) and 30-minute walk

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Not Available
For Coaches : Not Available

閉じる

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.

○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information).

閉じる

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.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

Yanai Power Plant is the largest thermal power plant in the Chugoku Region. Experts at the plant can guide you through a site tour to observe inside the power plant including massive LNG (liquid natural gas) tanks, a control room, etc. (note: a reservation is required). "Energia Land" in the same facility has a section where people can learn about energy with hands-on experiences. Its "Fureai Hiroba (Interaction Square)" offers fun and relaxation with a multi-purpose ground, tennis courts, a park and Sunshine Plaza (locker rooms, etc).


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 20-minute walk from JR Yanai-minato Station
By Car : Approx. 30 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available
For Coaches : Possible

閉じる

This brick tower house is located in the center of Yanai's Retro Street. A large disc music box is displayed so that all visitors will be able to enjoy various pieces of music composed by Mr. Isao Hashimoto, the only music box composer in Japan. This music box is a specially-constructed instrument using as many as 50 comb teeth, as compared to the usual 35. Their calm soothing sounds bring warmth to the hearts of all people passing by.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 3-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring public parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

This museum displays a number of exhibitions regarding the Japanese Buddhist monk and thinker "Gessho" who was an enthusiastic imperialist and a strong advocate of arming Japan for protection against foreign countries at the end of the Edo Period. He shared ideology with Shoin Yoshida and Gensui Kusaka, local Choushu Feudal Samurai engendered their close friendship.
At the museum, volunteer guide service is available so that visitors can get detailed explanations about major exhibitions. You can also visit "Seikyosodo" at the Myoen-ji Temple, a private academy that Gessho founded. From this academy, a number of great talents in the Meiji Restoration Period such as Taketo Akane were produced.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai-minato Station
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available
For Coaches : Possible （Please contact us in advance as you need guidance system for parking.)

閉じる

Hourai Bashi, the oldest bridge in Yanai, was built in 1663 to connect a reclaimed piece of land called "Kogaisaku" and "Yanaitsu" side and provided many locals with the only means to travel between the two sides. Koukan Shiba, a great artist of the Edo period, wrote about going over this bridge in his book "Saiyu Nikki (Travel Diary of the West)". "Gangi (stone stairs)" where boats would be docked and "Okimi Ishi-doro (stone lantern)" to guide incoming boats to dock remain up until today. At the foot of Hourai Bridge, "Atago Jizou (stone statue of fire safety deity)" quietly watch over the town of Yanai, in which fire would frequently broke out.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

This uniquely-shaped 2-story temple gate was built in China's Ming Dynasty style and has been known for its interesting resonating sound through a large space inside the white plastered tunnel. If you clap your hands under the tunnel-like gate, the echo sounds like "Wan Wan", so many local people have been calling the temple "Wan Wan Dera". There is a monument engraved with "Kunikida Doppo's Soyu no Chi" on the right side of the gate commemorating the visit of famous novelist Doppo Kunikida, one of Meiji's great Japanese novelists, who lived in the neighborhood and would often stop by this temple during his favorite pastime of walking.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

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.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

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.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

A famous Japanese novelist, Doppo Kunikida, spent 2 years (1892-1894) in his early twenties in this house. His desk and favorite moon guitar are displayed here. You can feel the nostalgic atmosphere once you enter this tranquil house. His novels, "Kodomo no kanashimi (A Child's Sorrow)" and "Okimiyage (Parting Gift)" took place in Yanai.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 20-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

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.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)

閉じる

　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。設計者は、明治期の洋風建築を多く手がけた長野宇平治氏の高弟佐藤節雄氏で、周防銀行はその後合併を重ね、最後の所有者の株式会社山口銀行から平成10年に柳井市に寄贈されました。
　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。昭和の歌謡史を代表する歌手ゆかりの品々を展示してあり、代表曲「マロニエの木陰」などのレコードやポスター、愛用したピアノなどを見学できます。


○交通アクセス
公共交通機関：JR柳井駅から徒歩約10分
自動車：山陽自動車道・玖珂ICから約20分

○駐車場
一般：周辺観光駐車場をご利用ください
大型バス：白壁ふれあい広場（観光案内所）

閉じる

【Confectionery factory】
Factory tours are available, in which you can observe the production process of famous confections "Tsuki De Hirotta Tamago" (Eggs found on the moon), "Hatoko No Umi" (Sea of Hatoko), "Miwakuno Sachertorte (Enchanted chocolate cake), Japanese confections and cakes. The factory also offers a cake workshop where you can make the one and only original cake in the world by yourself. (Reservation is required.)
【Hydrangea garden】
It is the prefecture's largest Hydrangea garden with over 20,000 of the flowers from approximately 100 species blooming in early June, located behind the confectionery factory. A Hydrangea Festival held in late June is enjoyed by many people regardless of age or gender.


○Access
By Public Transportation : -
By Car : Approx. 15 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available
For Coaches : Possible

閉じる

The parking lot is exclusively for motor coaches as it is located at the west end of Yanai's most famous tourist spot, white-walled street. Tourists can freely stop at a tourist information centre and get a lot of information, map and brochures. This square is often used as a meeting place with your volunteer guide. (Please see a link about volunteer guide service). On weekends and national holidays, you can receive a 2-hour free parking ticket, so that you can use it at two designated parking lots below.
※Ebisu parking lot & City's Machinaka parking lot (See the Map).


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Possible

閉じる

Yamaguchi Flower Land is a park with beautiful flowers and greenery, surrounded by history and nature. There is an open space with grass where all the family can enjoy playing with balls and other play equipment. The park offers a pressed flower workshop making straps and coasters and also a gardening workshop. You can buy flowers and small goods at the gift shop and enjoy lunch and dinner at the restaurant next to the shop.


○Access
Public Transportation : 10 minutes by car from JR Yanai Station (If you use Sanwa Taxi, discount rate of 1,000 JPY will be applied.)
By Car : Approx. 15 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : 300 vehicles (Free of charge)
For Coaches : Possible

閉じる

A temple is located on the path from Tsuchihoishigawa river to Kizakiyama mountain. In the garden within the temple stands a variety of trees including Cherry trees, Maple trees and Ginkgo trees. It is strikingly beautiful to see over 10,000 Azalea blooming all together. Kizakiyama mountain adjacent to Kizan mountain and Ohboshiyama mountain in Hirao-cho town, are popular sites for hiking and driving.


○Access
Public Transportation : 40-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 30 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available (2-3 vehicles)
For Coaches : -

閉じる

【Confectionery factory】
Factory tours are available, in which you can observe the production process of famous confections "Tsuki De Hirotta Tamago" (Eggs found on the moon), "Hatoko No Umi" (Sea of Hatoko), "Miwakuno Sachertorte (Enchanted chocolate cake), Japanese confections and cakes. The factory also offers a cake workshop where you can make the one and only original cake in the world by yourself. (Reservation is required.)
【Hydrangea garden】
It is the prefecture's largest Hydrangea garden with over 20,000 of the flowers from approximately 100 species blooming in early June, located behind the confectionery factory. A Hydrangea Festival held in late June is enjoyed by many people regardless of age or gender.


○Access
Public Transportation : -
By Car : Approx. 15 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available
For Coaches : Possible

閉じる

Fukei-ji temple is said to be the oldest temple in Yanai City. You can enjoy Cherry Blossoms in Spring and the changing colours of the leaves of a giant Ginkgo tree in Autumn. The giant Ginkgo tree stands tall overlooking the main hall of the temple. It is a sight to see when the leaves on the widespread branches of the giant Ginkgo tree turn gold. The temple enshrines a statue of Aizen Myoo, red-bodied, drawing a bow towards Heaven. From its figure, it is also known as "Tengyu (celestial bow) Aizen Myoo". As the statue is considered to be beneficial for love, marriage and household harmony, the temple is visited by many female worshippers.


○Access
Public Transportation : Approx. 20-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square. (Tourist Information Centre)

閉じる

The road which runs straight towards northwest from JR Yanai station is called Retro Dori. The station street was developed with an inspiration from the street in the Meiji to Showa period. Dogwoods and Peach trees planted along the street bloom lovely white and pale pink flowers in Spring.


○Access
Public Transportation : 5-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square.

閉じる

Chausuyama Tumulus is one of the most historic sites in Yanai City. When the site was developed into the tumulus park, Cherry trees were planted. Those Someiyoshino blossoms bloom beautifully in Spring. The park is reminiscent of history and leaves a deep impression with the spectacular view of the whole of Yanai City and the beautiful Cherry blossoms.


○Access
Public Transportation : Approx. 20-minute walk from JR Yanaiko Station
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : -
For Coaches : -

閉じる

Roughly 100 Cherry trees line the walking trail along the Tsutsuhoishigawa river near old Asahi bridge. The walkway gets lots of sun, fresh and crisp winds and is enjoyed by local people. There are benches to rest on and enjoy the Cherry blossoms.


○Access
Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : -
For Coaches : -

閉じる

Inariyama shrine in Yanai City which has an impressive array of red gates (Torii) is famous for its magnificent Cherry trees and blossoms. When the 500 plus Cherry trees planted around the shrine blossom, the area looks like a cherry- coloured cloud and people can enjoy its splendor even from a distance. Those Cherry trees are past their peak but project sophisticated beauty which cannot be seen in young trees. Seto Inland Sea seen through the branches of the blossoming trees makes for a spectacular view.


○Access
Public Transportation : Approx. 30-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : -
For Coaches : -

閉じる

柳井駅からまっすぐ麗都路通りを進むと高台に誓光寺の鐘楼が見えます。
鐘楼の隣に咲く八重桜は鞠のような花塊が可愛らしく、高台からの眺望も併せて、花の時期には多くの人が訪れます。


○Access
Public Transportation :10-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square.

閉じる

金剛寺は古くから「お大師さま」として柳井の人々に親しまれているお寺です。
境内の桜は、小規模ながらお寺の雰囲気も相まって壮麗です。
満開の時期にはお参りや軽いハイキングを兼ねて花見に訪れる人が多くいます。


○Access
Public Transportation :30-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square.

閉じる

琴石山登山道の途中にある2本のヤマザクラは、山口県内では有数の巨樹であり、愛宕社への参詣者をはじめ琴石山登山者、地元民などに古くから親しまれています。
2本とも枝張りが周囲10ｍ程あり、満開時には遠く柳井港からも眺望できます。


○Access
Public Transportation :30-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available
For Coaches : -

閉じる

黒杭川上流のダム建設と同時に整備されたダム公園で、桜やツツジなどが多く植えられています。
花の盛りには水面に落ちる花びらも風流です。
玖珂インターより柳井市街地へ向かう道の途中にあり、果子乃季総本店にも近いため、お花見の後にはお土産などのお買い物も楽しめます。


○Access
Public Transportation :-
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available
For Coaches : -

閉じる

A small park located in a quiet residential area close to the town of white-walled houses. Its space is long and narrow, Cherry trees planted on both sides of the in-park sidewalks form a beautiful 'cherry tunnel' upon their full blossom. There is also some Japanese wisteria in the park which blossoms in May every year.


○Access
Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai Station on Sanyo Line
By Car : Approx. 25 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : -
For Coaches : -

閉じる

Wild plum trees grow on the northern foot of Mt. Akago (Elevation: 230m) in Yota district, designated as a national nature treasure in 1933. The name "Garyu-Bai" derives from the shape of the branches which bend as if they were a dragon lying on the ground. (Ga: Lie on the ground, Ryu:a dragon, Bai: plums) The original stem died of old age, however, its branches rooted in the ground and grew into ten mature plum tees, blossoming in all their beauty every year with a pleasant scent.


○Access
Public Transportation : -
By Car : Approx. 30 minutes from Kuga IC. Or approx. 25 minutes from Kumage IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Available (Free of charge)
For Coaches : -

閉じる