Hofu Tenmangu Mitokuji temple Izumo Taisha Omori Silver mine Xavier memorial church peace memorialpark miyajima sanctuary_outline Shukkeien Adachi garden Ikouji Rurikouji temple Amida-ji Sourin-ji Kourakuen Japanese trad.Garden_outline Matsue Yonago Shimonoseki Okayama Hiroshima HAB CITY_outline TSUYAMA TSUWANO MATSUE CHOFU IWAKUNI HAGI SAMURAI towns_outline ONOMICHI YANAI TAKEHARA KURASHIKI TOMO SHIMOKAMAGARI Xavier Cathedral SHIMONOSEKI Washi Touken Bizen Pottery Hagi Pottery & Kilns Japanese trad.artcrafts Experience-outline GEGEGENO Kitaro Matsuda museum Naval Base of Kure MAZDA,Hofu plant Modern Japan-outline Kirin beer Park in Okayama Tottori sand dune Mt.Fuji of Sanin DAISEN SHINJI Lake Iwami coast Oki Hagi coast Nagato SANIN COAST-outline SHUHODO Trail to Hikimi Hiruzen Highland Kibi Highland Tsuyama Travel with Stream locomotive Deep Inland Tour-outline SETO-OHASHI Seto-inland seas OANORAMA view Tiboli Park Tokiwa Park Inland-sea-outline List of Japanese terms Bathing in Japan 7seafood of the Lake Shinji Blow fish Stone fish Show Crab Oysters Buchwheat Noodles Peach and Other fruits Okonomiyaki
 
  If you take the Kure train line from Mihara, you will travel along high cliffs overlooking the scenic Seto Inland Sea while rounding a sort of peninsula. Since it’s only a distance of about 30km, we recommend taking the local train. Unlike the bullet train, you can have a leisurely ride along the coast, and in the early spring cherry blossoms will be blooming on the station’s platform, lending it a picturesque aspect.  
 
 
 

Takehara, which means “bamboo field”, was known for its salt flats Up to the Second World War. Since it had salt to sell the city flourished with merchants.

Today, Takehara is mostly known for its well-preserved historical district (Machinami Hozon Chiku), which has many old houses, some dating back as far as the 1600s. In the center of the district is the Preservation Center, which is air-conditioned and free of charge. Here you can see a slide show about the city and its history among other things. There is also a museum of History and Folklore, which costs \100 per person.

Takehara is full of temples and shrines worth seeing. Probably the most famous is Saihoji Temple, which is reached via a long staircase. If you travel further up the stairs you’ll come to the beautiful Fumeikaku Temple, which was modeled on another temple in Kyoto. There are some very scenic views of the city from here, as well as places to stop and catch your breath!

  
     
 
Along with making salt, Takehara has also been a sake brewing locale for centuries. If you visit here and like sake, try going to the Fuji Sake Brewery. Originally used as a storage room for sake, it has been remodeled into a tourist attraction and is free to the public. While you’re here, of course, you’re welcome to sit down and have some of the local product.

There is also a sake museum of sorts, showing brewing implements and various sorts of cups. Taketsuru, as it’s called, has been in the sake business since the early 1700s, so they know what they’re doing. As with the Fuji Brewery, visitors are welcome to sit down and buy some rice wine to slake their thirst.		  
 
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