Izushi Castle Town (Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings)

Overview

Located in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, Izushi's history dates back to 1604, when Yoshihide Koide built Izushi Castle and its surrounding castle town at the southern foot of Arikoyama Castle, which had been the residence of the Yamana clan, a shugo daimyo (provincial military governor) during the Muromachi period. During the Edo period, it flourished as a castle town under the Sengoku family and was even the stage for the "Sengoku Disturbance," one of the three major family disputes of the Edo period. This rich historical background is the source of Izushi's deep appeal today. In 1876, Izushi suffered the tragedy of a great fire, which destroyed over 80% of its buildings. However, miraculously, the original town layout was preserved almost entirely. Afterward, temples and merchant houses rebuilt during the Meiji period, along with samurai residences and shrines/temples that escaped the fire, collectively convey the historical character of a late early modern castle town to this day. Recognizing this cultural value, Izushi was designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2007, under the name "Toyooka City Izushi Traditional Buildings Preservation District." The "Shinkoro" clock tower, known as Japan's second oldest, is the town's symbol, captivating visitors with its beautiful appearance. Furthermore, there are countless attractions, including the Izushi Castle Ruins, Arikoyama Inari Shrine, Izushi Karo Yashiki (chief retainer's residence), and the Eirakukan theater, which is Japan's oldest modern Japanese-style theater still in existence. Don't forget to savor the local specialty, "Izushi Sara Soba," during your stroll. The style of eating multiple small plates of soba stacked high is visually delightful, and the flavorful soba noodles are exquisite. Izushi has also been selected as one of the "500 Beautiful Japanese Walking Trails You'll Want to Stroll" as the "Izushi Castle Town Temple Tour Route," allowing visitors to fully experience history, culture, and natural beauty as they walk leisurely through the town. Its charm has spread both domestically and internationally, notably as a filming location for the 1997 Hong Kong drama "The Oath." History buffs will also be fascinated by the trivia that it is the birthplace of Shonosuke Kawasaki, Yae Niijima's first husband. We hope you create unforgettable travel memories in Izushi Castle Town, which preserves the charm of old Japan.