Weave Your Own Souvenirs in an Ancient Castle Town

Try your hand at Sakushu-gasuri weaving, dine on tender beef, and explore a well-preserved Edo-era town

Tsuyama is a castle town in Okayama Prefecture that prospered during Japan’s Edo Period (1603–1867). It was a center for a woven textile called “Sakushu-gasuri, an ancient craft that continues to thrive today. A visit to Tsuyama will be an unforgettable experience, one also rich in history, architecture, and food.

A highlight in Tsuyama is visiting a local artisan and learning how to make sakushu-gasuri yourself. With the help of an English-speaking guide, you can create your own chopstick sleeve to take home as a souvenir. You can choose to extend your Sakushu-gasuri experience and make more creations, or explore the town with your guide from the Sakushu-gasuri Preservation Society, who will showcase the historic architecture and provide you with a deeper understanding of the city. Weave your way through the old-style streets, visit religious sites not generally open to the public and take in the ancient structures that make up the town.

Architecture harmonizes with cuisine in Tsuyama. Sip coffee at a café located inside a historic building built during Japan’s Taisho Period (1912–1926), and get a sense of how Japan has changed over the course of time. Lunch at the Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Villa, a traditional inn with an internationally renowned restaurant, features delicious local beef, served with a glorious view of Tsuyama Castle.

Tsuyama is filled with uniquely Japanese experiences, and is not to be missed for art, food, and history lovers alike.

Access: From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama Station (about 45 minutes); transfer to the Tsuyama Line for the local train to Tsuyama Station (about 1 hour and 30 minutes ); the destination area is about a 20-minute walk or short taxi ride from the station.