Samurai Time Trip? Visit Tenryo Hita to see Edo merchants' town

Not only hot spring town Beppu and Yufuin, but there's a beautiful old town in Oita, with the name Hita.Mameda town of Hita used to be directly governed by Edo (Tokyo) government in Edo period(Samurai Time, 17C-19C), and prospered as a merchants' town.(*Tenryo means a special district directly controlled by the central government of Japan. Ten means sky and Ryo means territory.)Beside its natural beauty, Hina doll festival (Hina Matsuri) attracts lots of people (Feb.15-Mar.31 every year).You'll be impressed with the old traditional beautiful dolls, expressing merchants' rich lifestyle at that time.Movie of Hita festival scene is available here @ Oide!Hita.comThis is another festival named Gion Matsuri.And there are some more, such as firework, cormorant fishing(Sep).Soba (buckwheat noodle) in a nice Japanese restaurant, surrounded by Japanese garden.Nearby is quiet hot springs.If you have a chance to visit Kyushu, please visit Hita and then to Kumamoto castle to ful more »

http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_061047.php

2007-07-02 06:38:00