Tsubame Industrial
Materials Museum!

See

A great place to start your tour of the cityʼs crafts. Hereyou can experience the development of the areaʼs earlym e t a l w o r k i n g i n d u s t r y, w h i c h s t a r t e d w i t h t h e
manufacture of(Japanese-style construction
nails) back in the early Edo period and then advanced
into production of(metal files),(metal-tippedsmoking pipes), and(hammered copperware).
See re-creations of early factories and production
processes, and view the work of currently active local
artisans. Read easy-to-understand explanations of how
the industry developed and changed, while looking at
sample pieces from each period. See how local crafts
have developed and changed over hundreds of years.
The regular exhibits are supplemented by special
monthly exhibitions, ensuring a fascinating experience
for all.
Where: 4330-1 Ōmagari, Tsubame City
Phone: 0256-63-7666
Hours: 9 AM to 4:30 PM (No entry after 4 PM.)
Closed: The day after each holiday; every Monday(unless a holiday); New Year BreakThe curator may
be available to explain things.
Please call ahead
for more information.

Hands-On Room(Tsubame Crafts Theme Park)
af

C

tin

r

Local Crafts

Learn
!

Four Hundred Years of Craft Production

Photo
Spot

g

aM

i n i- S p o o n

P13→

The city s craft history began in the
production of(Japanese-style

construction nails) as a supplement totheir farming activities. Today s visitors
can encounter a wide variety ofworld-class craft production, and feelthe enthusiasm of artisans carrying
forward traditional techniques andproduction methods.

Factory Tours…

Cutlery from Tsubame is used at theNobel Banquet every December,in Stockholm.

01

Sightseeing

Edo period, as residents took up the

A visit to the hands-on room can teachyou much about metals andmetalworking. Also please stop to viewthe easy-to-understand exhibits at the
Tsubame Crafts Theme Park. Try your handat producing a mini-spoon. Your children
are welcome to participate with you.

Experience the City sWorld-Class Traditional Crafts
The cityʼs metalworking industry is said to have started in theearly Edo period, when flooding of the Shinano River
interfered with farm work and induced residents to turn tothe production of(Japanese-style construction nails)
as a secondary business. The 1700s saw the introduction andgradual flourishing of numerous other crafts:(hammered copperware),(metal files),(metal-tipped smoking pipes), and more. Crafts industries
then began to fall into decline with the advent of the Meiji
Restoration in 1868, as repeated wars and the introductionof European culture took their toll. But World War I marked
another turnaround, as Japan began producing western
tableware to meet foreign demand, and Tsubameʼs industries
received trial production orders from abroad. Backed by longexperience and sophisticated metalworking technologies,
local artisans proved very successful in mass production ofwestern-style metal tableware, and these industries thrived̶
bringing much-needed foreign exchange into the area.
The areaʼs metal housewares industry arose after WorldWar II, with the development of stainless steel processes andother technologies. Today the city produces a wide range ofmetal products, supported by local artisansʼ continuing
pursuit of technical perfection. Visitors
are welcome at many production
centers throughout the city, where you
can speak directly with artisans, andobserve sophist icated pro duct ion
methods with traditional roots goingback 400 years. Please come and enjoy
the Tsubame craft experience.

Acclaimed Traditional Craftsmanship.
An Intangible Cultural Property.

Gyokusendō Inc.

Established in 1816̶during the latter part of theEdo period̶this company is a longstanding andhighly regarded producer and marketer of local(hammered copperware) and other craft
goods. Niigata Prefecture has designated thecompany an “Intangible Cultural Property”; thecountryʼs Agency for Cultural Affairs has designatedit a “Protectable Intangible Cultural Property”; andJapanʼs Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Economy
has officially recognized the company for its“traditional craftsmanship.” In addition to its
products, the company has also trained anddeveloped over 300
craftspersons during
its long history.
is produced through ahammering process that wrinkles, rather thanstretches, the metal. Each piece is created from asingle copper sheet. Beautiful and lustrous, thesepieces seem to improve further with continued use.
Where: 2-2-21 Chūō-Dōri, Tsubame City
Phone: 0256-62-2015
Hours: 8:30 AM to Noon, 1 PM to 5:30 PM
Closed: Sundays and Holidays

Living National Treasure:Norio Tamagawa
Born in 1942 in what was then Shitadamura (today,
the city of Sanjō), in Niigata Prefecture. Joined
Gyokusendō in 1959. In 2002, won a Purple-Ribbon
Medal of Honor. In 2010 designated an Important
Intangible Cultural Property (Living National
Treasure), and named an honorary citizen of
Tsubame. In 2012, received the “Order of the RisingSun, Gold Rays with Rosette” award.

Photo
Spot

P13→

Please call listed companies or facilities directly if you would like to arrange a tour of their facilities.

02

Metalworking Technologies for the Next Generation

Witness the Cutting Edge!

MGNET Co., Ltd.
Takeda Kanagata Seisakusho, Co., Ltd.

Tōjirō Knife Gallery (Tōjirō Co., Ltd.)One of the few companies in Japan equipped to carry out the entire blade
cutlery production processes in-house. The firm specializes in thestyle of production̶one of several traditional Japanesemethods̶and enjoys a large global share of the composite-blade cutlerymarket. Gallery visitors can view a broad lineup of products available forpurchase, and may also bring in their own cutlery for repair and maintenanceattention. Although partially machine-made, Tōjirō knives have their roots in
hand-craftsmanship. Feel free to pick them up and handle them…carefully.

Established in 1978. Manufactures single and progressive press dies supporting
the rapid production of high-quality, easy-to-use precision parts and more.
Initiated its own “mgn” brand in 2005, using propriety technologies to produce
fashionable lifestyle-themed card cases, iPhone back parts, and other goods.
Visitors are warmly welcomed at the companyʼs open Factory Front workshop,where you can enjoy hands-on experience in the production of(hammered copperware) and cutlery.

Where: 55-18 Yoshida-higashi-sakaechō, Tsubame City
Phone: 0256-93-4195
Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM
Closed: Sundays and Holidays

Where: 14-3 Higashi-Ōta, Tsubame City
Phone: 0256-46-8720
Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM
Closed: Mondays, Holidays

Visitors to the workshop can try their hand at
making spoons and copper-plated
bookmarks̶experiencing the pleasures ofcreating functional items while learning
something about the history and skills
underlying this type of work. Same-day
reservations may beavailable for small
groups; pleasecall and ask.

T

S

U

B

A

Largest Exhibition Hall in the Prefecture

Assistive Products Exhibition
Will Assist
Niigataʼs largest
exhibition of assistive
products: tableware,
food products,
wheelchairs, beds,
bathrooms, home
repair, and more.
Visitors are encouraged
to touch and use theexhibits. The new robot
display corner is
especially popular.
Where: 4852-5 Koike-Kamidōri, Tsubame City Phone: 0256-64-9001
Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM weekdays; 11 AM to 4 PM weekends and holidays

Tsubame crafts!
Wow!

M

E

C

R

Miso Fermenting Buckets Have a History, Too!

Echigo Miso Jōzō Co., Ltd.

This company started in 1771 (!) as a brewing storehouse, and turned tomiso production in 1931. The company has kept its history, crafts, andtraditions alive, while continuing to produce and market various types ofmiso̶for general consumption, for cooking, and as(pickling inmiso). It still ferments its miso in large barrels, now in use for over a
century (since the Taisho period), in a storehouse that bespeaks history
and that also functions as a type of theme park supporting theperpetuation of this craft. Visitors are welcome to tour the storehouse andtry their hand at
miso production(reservations
required). Artisans
will guide you as
you prepare themixture, which you
can then take home
to ferment.

F

T

S

M

A

N

From Tsubame to the World! Encounter
with Northern European Designers.

Ohizumi Bussan Co., Ltd.

Established in 1943. Holds worldwide rights to the manufacture of the Kay
Bojesen cutlery brand and the ICHI cutlery brand̶the former created by
the famed Danish designer of the same name, and the latter by theequally famous compatriot Ole Palsby, decorated by the Danish royalfamily. The company also makes various non-cutlery items as well, usingstate-of-the art stainless-steel production processes.

S

H

I

P

Support for the Metal Polishing Industry

Tsubame-Shi
Migakiya Ichibankan

Metal grinding and polishing are essential processes for Tsubameʼsmetalworking industries. This facility is dedicated to encouraging andteaching new practitioners, and to supporting the development of newtechniques and the startup of new polishing-related businesses. The headteachers here are prefecture-accredited mastercraftspersons (). Factory tours
and hands-on experiences are available byreservation. Highly recommended.

Photo
Spot

P13→

Where:
5-10 Yoshida-Nakamachi,
Tsubame City
Phone: 0256-93-2002
Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM
Closed: Sundays, Holidays,
Irregular Off Days

03

A

Please call listed companies or facilities directly if you would like to arrange a tour of their facilities.

Where: 151 Koseki, Tsubame City
Phone: 0256-63-4551
Hours: 8:30 AM to Noon, 1 PM
to 5:30 PM
Closed: Weekends, Holidays,
and New Year BreakFor information about events,
etc., please visit our website:
https://www.ohizumibussan.jp/

Where: 3633-7 Koike, Tsubame City
Phone: 0256-61-6701
Hours: 9 AM to Noon, 1 PM to 4 PM
Fees: Factory tours are free. 800 yen
for spoon polishing experience (forkids); 1,500 yen for tumbler polishingexperience (for adults)
Closed: Weekends, Holidays, andNew Year Break04

LocalSpecialty!

Se-Abura Ramen
Tsubame’s
Industry05

Tsubame soul food.
Pleasing generations ofcraftspeople.
Tsubameʼs local variant of ramen originated in the
1950s, when a rapid growth in demand forwestern-style metal tableware drove a huge increase indelivery lunch orders from busy factory workers. The
distinctively thick noodles were a modification tomaintain firmness for take-out orders. Fish stock andsoy sauce were the flavoring for a thick broth that was
best suited to the palates of perspiring workers, andpig back fat () was added for a deeper taste.
The fat creates a thin surface cover that helps keep theramen warm, so that busy workers who canʼt eat it
immediately can still enjoy a bit later. The dish has
continued to evolve over the years, and visitors canorder and enjoy
ramen at many locations
throughout the area.

Hands-On Craft Experiences

So many opportunities to try your hand at craft work!
Participate, and deepen your connection
to the city of craftsmanship.
The city of Tsubame has a long history as a thriving center ofI polished thesetumblers, and they vebeen reborn!

Ramen Pilgrimage Map,
Tsubame-Sanjō
Ramen questers may find this map invaluable.
Find popular spots forramen inTsubame, curry ramen in Sanjō, and more. You
can find the map at any of listed spots, or you
can download it from here:

craftsmanship. And visitors can find many opportunities to visit
worksites and try out crafting for themselves. On this page, we
introduce a few of the metalworking opportunities that are available.
Note that hands-on programs may run on limited days only̶so be
sure to call ahead. You may also choose to enjoy guided nature
walks, eco-trekking, fruit picking, or miso fermenting. Tsubame City
Tourist Association can tell you what s scheduled.

Association Website: https://tsubame-kankou.jp/
Phone: 0256-64-7630

Polish Up Your Own Beer Tumbler

http://www.made-in-tsubame.jp/ra-men/

Polish a tumbler under the guidance of local polishing artisans, and take it home.
If you bring your kids, they can polish and take home some spoons (appointment
required). You can also enjoy an informative tour of the building.
Welove ramen.

Where: Tsubame-Shi Migakiya Ichibankan (3633-7 Koike, Tsubame City)
Fee: Adults 1,500 yen (includes tumblers); children 800 yen (includes two spoons)Contact: Tsubame-Shi Migakiya Ichibankan Phone: 0256-61-6701

Hammer a Pattern
on a Copper Tumbler or Sake Cup
Create a custom pattern on a pure-copper tumbler or cup. Take yourpersonalized creation home, and use at your table. Enjoy tasting beer or sake!
Where: Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum (4330-1 Ōmagari, Tsubame City)
Prices: Beer tumblers 2,000 yen; sake cups and shot glasses 1,500 yen each
(Does not include museum admission fee).
Contact: Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum Phone: 0256-63-7666

Two-ply design keeps the inside warm, the outside
cool. Tsubame ingenuity helps you eat.

Craft a Custom Copperware Dish

Metal Ramen Bowl

Hammer out a small dish from a sheet of copper. Try your hand at a local
craft that has been designated an “intangible cultural property of Niigata.”

Inspired by a metal beer tumbler,
this stainless-steel bowl keeps yourramen warm even as the outside
stays cool to the touch. Sturdy andalmost impossible to break.
Another superlative product crafted
entirely by local artisans.

y? Or Not Too Oily?
Oil
When orderingramen inTsubame, you can tell them how oily
you want it. “Go heavy on the fat
today, please” or “Itʼs getting late, so
not so oily please.” Your servers will
welcome your request…so donʼtforget to say, when ordering.

Ramen Restaurant: Kōshū Hanten
ramen originated from the Chinese noodle dishes served at thisrestaurant. This is still a very popular eatery, and there are usually lines
waiting to get in. Thick noodles in a broth flavored with fish stock and soy
sauce, with a generous helping of back fat̶a great dining experience.
Where: 49-4 Nishi-Tsubame, Tsubame City Phone: 0256-64-3770
Hours: 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 8 PM weekdays; 11 AM to 8 PM weekends
and holidays (May close earlier if stock runs out)
Closed: Mondays (and one Tuesday each month)

Where: Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum(4330-1 Ōmagari, Tsubame City)
Fee: 700 yen (in addition to museum admission fee)Contact: Tsubame City Tourist Association Phone: 0256-64-7630●Available only on certain days. Call for details.

Carve Out Leaf-Themed
Metal Accessory
Carve a leaf-themed key holder, chopstick rest, or bookmark out of acopper plate. Donʼt worry̶a local expert will show you how to do it.
Where: Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum (4330-1 Ōmagari, Tsubame City)
Fee: 700‒1,200 yen (in addition to museum admission fee)Contact: Tsubame City Tourist Association (phone 0256-64-7630)●Available only on certain days. Call for details.

Craft Your Own Accessories
Turn a copper sheet into a custom accessory of your own creation.
Donʼt miss this chance to get some basic instruction from an expert
craftsperson.
Where: Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum(4330-1 Ōmagari, Tsubame City)
Fee: 2,700 yen (in addition to museum admission fee)Contact: Tsubame City Tourist Association Phone: 0256-64-7630●Available only on certain days. Call for details.

06

Tsubame Cherry Blossoms Festival

Beloved Zen Monk

Bunsui Oiran Dōchū

Ryōkan Taigu

Traditional Beautiful Costume Parade Marks
Advent of Spring in the Bunsui District

Born in 1758 in Izumozaki in Echigo Province (the old name for Niigata
Prefecture), Ryōkan Taigu underwent harsh training at Entsūji Temple (part of
the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism) in Okayama Prefecture, and chose to devote
his life to study in order to become a perfect human being. During his time in
Tsubame, he lived alone in the mountains performing zazen (seated Zen
meditation). He came into town to beg for food, living a simple life in accordancewith Buddhist teachings, and endeavored to interact with as many people aspossible, regardless of whether they were rich or poor. Many people empathizedwith and trusted him on account of his affectionate behavior.
He was also a student and practitioner of Chinese-style poetry (),
Japanese poetry (), and calligraphy. He has left magnificent works in all ofthese: more than 450, more than 1,200, and lovely calligraphy. He
was and remains highly regarded by many Japanese writers and artists,
including Natsume Sōseki and Yasunari Kawabata.

Oiran parades are held several times yearly throughout the country. In
Tsubame, the Bunsui Oiran Dōchū̶on the third Sunday in April̶is timed towelcome the blossoming of the 3,000 cherry trees planted in commemorationof the 1922 completion of the Ōkōzu Diversion Channel (means “river
diversion”; andare higher-class courtesans).
The origin of the local event was a costume parade held in 1924 by a groupof local volunteers wishing to celebrate the start of the flower-viewing season.
In 1934, the newly established Bunsui Flower-Viewing Association̶dedicatedto calling the countryʼs attention to the scenic beauty and cherry blossoms of
the Bunsui area̶held the first-themedmarch: a geisha dressed as an, marching
together with two
assistants.
The modern parade features three̶the Sinano tayū, the Sakura tayū, and theBunsui tayū (is yet another word for)̶marching together with about 60
servants. The magnificently dressed
walk in a highly stylized manner, balancing
on very elevated wooden clogs. The parade
unfolds like a lovely flower-themed picture
scroll.

The Shinano is Japanʼs longest river. In earlier days, torrential rains
would periodically cause it overrun its banks, causing terrible
damage to the regionʼs villages and agriculture. This led to the idea
for building a diversion channel, as a way to direct the flood water
into the nearby Japan Sea. The construction of the Ōkōzu Diversion
Channel was a massive undertaking that involved a total of 10
million workers. The diversion channel plays a major role inprotecting the Echigo Plain, allowing it to develop into one of thecountryʼs top rice-producing areas.
The diversion channel is almost always well-behaved and serene,
and its magnificent flow is mesmerizing to visitors. You can see
waterfowl such as swans in large numbers, and there's also afish-ladder observatory and a waterway where children can paddle.

At the Pine Tree,
Viewing the Moon ()

When Confucian scholar Kameda Bōsai was visitingat his hermitage, the sake ran dry and Ryōkan wentout to buy more…but he did
not return. Bōsai went to fetch him̶andfound him sitt ing on the roots of anearby pine tree, gazing at the moon.
Ryōkan had forgotten about the sake,and was lost in Buddhist reverie.

Bamboo Shoot ()

Ryōkan was aware of a bamboo shoot growing tallin his outhouse, soon to hit the ceiling. Feeling love
for the shoot, Ryōkan lit a candle with the intentionof burning a small hole in the thatched roof, to givethe shoot room to grow. Instead, he burned theouthouse to the ground. Through this story, we canlearn his compassion for all living things.

What Kind of Man
Was He?

All About the Ōkōzu Bunsui
A Once in-a-Century-Level RiverImprovement Project Protects
Against Flooding, Turning the Echigo
Plain into Japan s Rice Bowl

After turning to Buddhism, undergoing strict training, andwandering for years on a pilgrimage, Ryōkan settled into ahermitage on Mt. Kugami. While his lifestyle was austere,he was a magnificent poet and a calligrapher; and his
personality endeared him to all. Many stories about him
live on, along with his own wonderful creations.

Moving the Heavens for a Child(

Was Naoe Kanetsugu Involved?

The Nakanokuchi River, or the Naoe River?
What was Kanetsugu s Relation to Tsubame?

)

Having finished his daily mendicant rounds in Tsubame, Ryōkancame to the weir at the Nakanokuchi River, where children were
flying kites. A child approached, asking him to write a message
on a piece of paper he wanted to use for a kite. Delighted toplease a child, Ryōkan wrote̶in beautiful calligraphy thatsurvives to this day̶four characters requesting strong winds inthe heavens: 天上大風 ().

The 2009 NHK installment of, a long-running historical drama series, reintroduced
a huge viewing audience to the figure of Naoe Kanetsugu̶a real-life militarycommander who lived from 1560 to 1620̶and revived the tradition that he himself was
responsible for building the Shinano Riverʼs Nakanokuchi and Nishi tributaries. In Edo days,
apparently, todayʼs Nakanokuchi was known as the Naoe River.
Of course, there is no possibility that Kanetsugu created the tributary out of nothing. At
most, we may conjecture that perhaps he was somehow involved in efforts to alter theflows out of the Shinano. He was in his 20s at the time this supposedly happened, and he
was certainly aware of the repeated flood damage to the area. Perhaps he directed his
considerable abilities, in one way or another, to helping improve the lives of the people in
the region.

(Japanese Handball)is a traditional handball game that
Ryōkan enjoyed playing with children, andthe "Ryōkan temari" continues to convey his
spirit. The centers contain fiddlehead ferncotton or rice husks to make the ball bounce,and intricate patterns are meticulously
embroidered on the surface, making them afolk craft that evokes the warmth of
handiwork.

Shinano River Ōkōzu Museum
A visit here will tell you something about thehistory and uses of the Shinano River and theŌkōzu Diversion. Opened in 1978 tocommemorate a hundred years of flood-control
work, and museum was renovated in 2002. An
observation deck yields grand view of the river andthe diversion, and thereʼs also a fish-ladderobservatory at the Ōkōzu Overfall Weir.
Where: Gosengoku, Tsubame City, Niigata Phone: 0256-97-2195 Hours: 9 AM to 4 PM
Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday) and New Year Break

Bunsui Ryōkan Museum
This museum shows creations from, and artifacts relating to, Ryōkan
Taigu̶the great Buddhist monk in love with nature, people, and art.
Here you can see his poems and calligraphy. His calligraphy of his lastyears̶after he had moved further down the mountain into a hut at
Otogo Shrine̶is especially accomplished. Special exhibitions show
designated “important cultural properties,” are of particular note.

Ōkōzu BridgeŌkōzu Diversion(Ōkōzu Bunsui)
Movable Weir

ano

Shin

07

R

iver

idge
a Br
kaw
Moto

Wade into the riverʼs waterway andcatch a few ﬁsh and crayﬁsh.

Where: 9-9 Kamisuwa, Tsubame City Phone: 0256-97-2428
Hours: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday) and New Year Break
Admission: Adults 300 yen; 200 yen college, vocational & high school; 100
yen elementary and middle school (group discounts available)

Drawing of Ryōkan done
presumably in 1810, when hewas 56. The artist is Kyūboku
Mitsumori; the poem is from
Ryōkan s own hand.

08

Walking About Mt. Kugami̶A Natural Setting That Ryōkan Loved
A Otogo Jinja Sōan (Shrine Hut)
Where Ryōkanʼs Art Reached Its Maturity
In 1816, when he was 59, Ryōkan left his Gogōan Hermitage and moved into a hut at Otogojinja
Shrine, at the foot of the mountain. Here, it is said, he often enjoyed playing(a traditional
Japanese handball game) with the children on the grounds. His ten years here are considered themature period of his art, and it is also said Ryōkan made poems on his feelings and thoughts about
his closing years.
̶is the beginning of one well-known
poem, inscribed in 1858; this is thought to be the oldest extant inscription of Ryōkan poetry.

C Gogōan Hermitage
Intensifying the Five Senses
One of the four* (subsidiary temples) at the Kokujōji Temple complex, built as a hermitagefor Mangen Shōnin, a high priest involved in revitalizing the complex. Ryōkan moved in here in
1797, when he was 40, and stayed about 20 years, wandering out daily to beg for alms. Situatedhalfway up Mt. Kugami, the retreat is an ideal place to practice Zen meditation. Ryōkan was awell-known and beloved figure, and many significant visitors from far-off places came to visit
him here, including the Confucian scholar Kameda Bōsai, and the poet and writer Mitsue Ōmura.
Ryōkan studied and practiced calligraphy intently, focusing his attention on works such as
Kaisoʼs(dating from the Tang Dynasty) and Ono no Michikazeʼs. His famousfour-character piece written for a childʼs kite̶天上大風 ()̶was written soon before,or perhaps sometime after, he moved away from this hermitage. The nameis said toderive from the daily rice allowance (for five ,which is approximately 750g, of rice) received
from the temple by Mangen Shōnin.
*A subsidiary, small temple or retreat built to honor, and benefit from the example of, a deceased
beloved high priest.

Rebuilt in 1914.
A Niigata Prefecture-designated cultural property.

D Mt. Kugami

Reconstructed by a group of Ryōkan admirers,
and designated a cultural property by Niigata Prefecture.

Hiking Through a Protected
Beech Forest

B Sengandō

Mt. Kugamiʼs summit, at an altitude of
313.2 meters (1,028 ft.), offers a greatview of the Bunsui district and the Ōkōzu
Diversion, with the grand peak of Mt.
Sumon visible in the distance. On a clear
day visitors can also make out Sado Islandand the Noto Peninsula. The beech forest
extending from the rear of Kokujōji
Temple, at about 180 meters (591 ft.)above sea level, is one of the very few
remaining at such a low altitude, and wastherefore designated a protected habitatby the prefecture in 1993. Numerous
hiking trails offer great viewing in allseasons̶including an intermediate trailthat runs from the Visitor Center to thesummit, and a history route that takes
you to spots of historic interest.

Suspension
BridgeWonderful View from35 Meters (115 ft.) Up
Halfway up Mt. Kugami, this striking, redsuspension bridge̶124 meters (407 ft.)long and just 1.5 meters (5 ft.) wide̶
connects the Gogōan Hermitage on one
side with the Mt. Asahi observation deckon the other. The observation deck offersa panoramic view of the gorgeousmountainside, with the Japan Sea visible inthe distance. The view is relaxing, inspiring,and distinctive in all seasons̶the paleleaves of spring, the flaming colors ofautumn, the winter snowscapes. Named
one of the prefectureʼs “best 50 bridges”
in 1993.

Walk, breathe the wonderful air,and imbibe the fantastic view.

kan

yō
at R
ok
o
l
s
…
Let auntshold

Mt. Kugami D

Time…
and Incense

Chōzenkan Museum

The Chōzenkan School used incense sticks to keep time.
A single stick took about 20 minutes to burn through.
Students enjoyed a 1-stick recess before noon, a 1/2-stickbreak after lunch, and another 1-stick break later in theafternoon.

The Chōzenkan School, active for 80 years, turned out numerous
notable graduates

Founded by Buntai Suzuki in 1833 in what was then the village of Aōzu, the school
remained in operation until 1912, educating more than 1,000 students. Ryōkan
recognized Buntai s gifts when Buntai was just 18, and the two remained closefriends. There can be little doubt that the school s mission reflected Ryōkan sstrong desire to help reduce the suffering caused by repeated flooding of theRiver. Noteworthy disciples of the school included Tai Hasegawa̶
founder of, forerunner of today s Nippon Medical school̶and
Masanao Washio, Takenosuke Takahashi, and Kan ichi Ōtake, all very active in the construction of the Ōkōzu
Diversion. The school s guiding principle of helping those in need seems to have motivated many of its
students.
Where: 97 Aōzu, Tsubame City Phone: 0256-93-5400 Hours: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday) and New Year Break
Admission: Primary/middle/high school 50 yen, general 100 yen (20% discount for groups of 20 or more)

09

Kokujōji Temple
E

Visitor Center

Gogōan Hermitage C

Ryōkan came here often.
Very tranquil…

●Ｐ

Sengandō Suspension Bridge B
Mt. Asahi Observation Deck●

Otogo Jinja Sōan
(Shrine Hut) AＰ

Mt. Kugami MountainsideＰ
Kugami Park Route

Mt. Kugami Volunteer Guides, present weekends and holidays from April through November, will
gladly guide you around the Gogōan Hermitage, the Sengandō Suspension Bridge, and other locations.
You can find guides at the Tsubame Bunsui Visitor Center, the Gogōan Hermitage, and the Otogo
Shrine Hut. For information, contact Tsubame City Tourist Association (phone 0256-64-7630).

E

Kokujōji Temple

Echigoʼs Oldest Major Temple:
Over 1300 Years Old
Built in 709, during the reign of Empress Genmei, in
accordance with oracular decree made by Yahiko Shrine, themost important shrine of Echigo Province (the old name for
Niigata Prefecture). Its 1300th anniversary was in 2009.
Famed
Uesugi Kenshin (1530‒78) is said to haveworshipped the templeʼs 1000-armed Kannon (bodhisattva),
and documents relating to the samurai Uesugi Kagekatsu
and Naoe Kanetsugu are still here. The grounds hold manystately buildings: the main building, the reception hall, theRokkakudō (hexagonal building), the Taishidō, and others.
The lovely tranquil road leading to the shrine is lined by old(Japanese cedar) trees.

10Hachiōji Grand White Wisteria
This enormous white wisteria, thought tobe 350 years old, bursts into bloom inearly-to-mid May. Its branches, spreading inall directions, emanate a fragrance that fills
the grounds. This Niigata-designatednatural asset is the largest wisteria in theprefecture. (At Anryō Temple. Address: 962
Hachioji, Tsubame City.)❶ Tsubame-Sanjō Wing
To u r i s t i n f o r m a t i o n a n d s a l e s s p o t .
Computer access, free WiFi, and tourist info
videos. Also displays and sells local
high-quality products, many with “gooddesign” awards. Plenty of space to sit andrelax, too.
Where: 502-3 Shimosugoro, Sanjō City(JR Tsubame-Sanjō station, 2F)
Phone: 0256-34-7310
Hours: 10 AM to 6:30 PM
Closed: New Year BreakBusters❷ Stock
Tsubame Sanjō Factory Outlet

Shopping in

TsubameTsubame❷Great Products,
with Worldwide Appeal!
Recommended

There are many other fascinating tourist attractions in our city. All of the spots
listed below are well worth a visit.

Featuring housewares and kitchenware from about 130
manufacturers. Purchase fine, maker-recommended local
articles at the lowest prices in town.

(

Great place to purchase high-quality,
wonderfully designed local products, andto obtain both tourist and industrial
information. The store offers about 10,000
products: western tableware, knives, pans,and much more. Here you will findtraditional craft goods right next tostate-of-the-art pieces. You will be
impressed by the depth of the areaʼs
traditions and craftsmanship.

❸ Messepia Restaurant

Tableware
made in Tsubame

Temari Hot Spring
Shuten-Dōji Hot Spring (Footbath)
Stop in for a relaxing hot-spring bath, or take a break in the spacious
rest area. Enjoy watching the footbath water spout from thegargoyle face of the famed local demon Shuten-Dōji.
Where: 5866-1 Kugami, Tsubame City Phone: 0256-98-0770
Hours: 10 AM to 9 PM. No entry after 8:30 PM. (Hours shorter during
New Year Break.)
Closed: Every second and fourth Monday (or Tuesday, if Monday is aholiday)

Where: 1-17 Sugoro, Sanjō City
Phone: 0256-32-2311
Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Closed: First Wednesday of month; New
Year BreakEat wonderful locally-sourced dishes,using beautiful locally-produced cutlery
that you choose for yourself. Select froma wide range of cutlery: from the oldest
designs in Japan to ones used at theNobel Banquet.

yet?
Hungry)A great visitor spot at the foot of Mt. Kugami. Stop in for a break after
enjoying the view of the mountain. The Aji-Dokoro Hana-Temari restaurant
here runs a monthly(100%) soba day, serving a special soba made entirely
from local buckwheat flour (omitting the usual wheat flour, eggs, and other binders). The
restaurant is also popular for its handmade buckwheat-flour ice cream, and its
jellied desserts.

Fureai Park

11❶

❸ Regional Industries Promotion Center

Where: 2-16 Butsuryū Center, Tsubame City
Phone: 0256-63-2511
Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM
Closed: New Year (12/30 to 1/2)

Roadside Station Kugami
Feeling a little weary?
Refresh yourself in a hot spring.

❸

Sanjō Tsubame IC
Tsubame-Sanjō

Roadside Station Tsubame-Sanjō

Attractions

TsubameAwaits
You…

Yahiko Line

Tsubame
GourmetLocal Favorite: Fried Chicken with Lemon
Fried chicken with sweet-sour
lemony sauce: a standard hot-lunch
item served at area schools, andwell-known to most locals. You canfind this dish at eateries
throughout the Yoshidaregion̶the map will show
you where.

12

Photos
Spot

Walking Around…

are.
sh

Poin
t,

oot, andshHere are just a few of the many great spots for taking

2

Echigo Miso
Sitting in a miso fermenting
bucket, usually used for otherpurposes. This bucket isoutside, and a nice place for acute photo or two. Get thetrue miso experience. You
can also arrange to goindoors and tour the facility
and even try yourhand at real miso
making. Check first for
the latest information.

pictures. History, tradition, culture, scenic beauty, and muchmore. Focus your camera, and then share and remember.
President of
Echigo Miso Jōzō

Imai Bank Logo

1

KōrindōRed Brick HouseMay
Echigo Tsubame s
Tenjinkō Festival

Togakushi Shrine
Spring Festival

This annual festival, on February 25,
commemorates the death anniversary of
Sugawara no Michizane, once a living
Heian-period scholar and later worshipped asTenman-Tenjin, Shintō god of learning. The
main feature is the presentation of colorful
candies, said to improve the studying
capabilities of all who consume them.

Lantern activities at Kibakōji and at Yokochō,and folk dancing performance (Ise Ondo) by“Otama-chan” girls, are well worth seeing.
Street vendors and stalls along Miyachō
Sunroad become active on the evening
preceding the festival.

Yoshida Tenmangū Festival
Yoshida Tenmangū represents a Tenjin deity(the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane, and is the
Shintō god of scholarship) promising a
successful career path. It is said that if you buy
a sapling at the festival, your prayers will beanswered when it becomes a mature tree, so
the Tenmangū Festival held on May 24 and 25
each year draws numerous plant vendors.

February Echigo Tsubame s Tenjinkō Festival

This old graceful western-stylehome, part of a four-building
complex, belonged to the Imaifamily, a prominent landowning
family of the Yoshida district. After
the WWII the family started several
bu si nes se s , in clu d in g a h o me
remedy business named̶
the name written on the wall. The
outstanding brickwork is apparently
from the Meiji period. All fourbuildings federally-recognized“registered tangible culturalproperties.” (Note that this is still a
private home. Please do not disturb,
or try to enter.)

3

April

Yoshidasuwa
ShrineYoshida Course

1
2
Nishi-Tsubame
Yoshida

!
me
at
e
t

Tsubame1

2
3

TsubameEvent Calendar

From long ago̶its
origins are unclear̶thisshrine has been thehome of the deities
guarding the Yoshidaarea. The main attractionis the elaborate wooden
carving of children
looking into a birdcage̶
and example of theexcellence of carpentry
skills during the latterpart of the Edo period.
The shrine is a designatedcultural property of
Tsubame.

3

Don

May

Feb.

Tsubame Cherry Blossoms Festival and Bunsui Oiran Dōchū
Mt. Kugami Opening
Hachiōji Grand White Wisteria

May Togakushi Shrine Spring Festival
Yoshida Tenmangū Festival
Hien Summer Festival
July

Bunsui Festival
Yoshida Festival
Tsubame Fireworks Display

September Echigo Mt. Kugami Shuten-Dōji Parade
OctoberNa
Rivekanokuchir

Tsubame Aozora Sokubaikai (Display/Sales Event)Tsubame Sanjō Open-Factory Festival

Sanjō Tsubame IC

3

Tsubame Course

Tsubame-Sanjō

Bi

Sep.

g!

Tsubame Industrial
Materials Museum
Here you are welcomed by a monumental carp, with scales madeof spoons. And inside the museum, see giant silverware, acelebrity-autographed bench, and much more. Many great spots
for photos, too. (Please inform reception before taking photos.)

2

1

Water Tower
Standing 31 meters (102 ft.) high, with a diameter of
10 meters (33 ft.). This old structure was built for water
distribution at a time when a purification facility
existed nearby. Today it remains an upstanding
symbol of the city itself. Protected by the government
as a ”registered tangible cultural property.”

13

Oct.

Jul.

GyokusendōPrettyDoor!!

Famous producer and seller of(hammered copperware). Even thebuildings themselves are protected as a“registered tangible cultural property.”
The beautifully crafted name sign
should not be missed.

Tsubame Summer Festival
At the, the parade carries(portable shrine) honoringcraftsmanship. The
featuresraucous drumming reflecting the power offamous demon Shuten-Dōji. The
features magnificent lamps and many
floats.

Echigo Mt. Kugami
Shuten-Dōji Parade

Tsubame Aozora Sokubaikai

Echigo Shuten-Dōji is reputedly the mostpowerful of all of Japanʼs mythical(demons), able to grant wishes to those who
beseech him. Every year, at the foot of Mt.
Kugami,assemble to grant people's wishes.
It is said that your wish will come true if you
join this parade of 500 demons. Just meetingthese various demons may bring you
happiness…

A n n u al ev e nt ̶he ld t he fir st Su nd a y in
October̶highlighting new products from thec i t y ʼ s p e e r l e s s m e t a l w o r k i n g i n d u s t r y.
Western-style metal tableware; pots and pans,knives, and other kitchenware; and(hammered copperware) goods. Available forpurchase at special prices.

(Display/Sales Event)14