The spirit of Yanagawa that Hakushu loved

Yanagawa is known as a town of waterways, and its beautiful nature and rich history and culture attract many people.

What has shaped this charming town is, above all else, the passion of the people. The passion of the people to treasure the traditions passed down from generation to generation and to pass them on to the future has shaped Yanagawa into what it is today.

Beautiful scenery and life created by canals

Yanagawa is characterised by the canals that run throughout the town. The canals are engraved with history that is deeply connected to the lives of the people, and a leisurely boat ride down the river is a staple of Yanagawa tourism. The cleaning and maintenance of the canals is carried out by local residents, and efforts are ongoing to maintain the beautiful scenery.

Kitahara Hakushu: A poetic spirit nurtured in Yanagawa

Kitahara Hakushu was born and raised in Yanagawa, where he developed his poetic sense through his interactions with the city’s rich nature and people.

His poems include many descriptions of the canals, waterways, and scenery of Yanagawa, and you can sense his deep love for his hometown.

One of his representative works, “Omoide,” is a nostalgic tribute to his hometown of Yanagawa and his bankrupt family home, and it made Hakushu’s name known to the world.

The collection of poems titled “Water Composition” symbolically depicts the waterside scenery of Yanagawa. Hakushu describes the water of Yanagawa as “the mother of poetry” and emphasizes its importance.

By experiencing the world of Hakushu’s poetry, you will be able to deepen your understanding of Yanagawa and find it even more fascinating.

Birthplace and memorial hall here

Feel the warm hospitality of the people at the festival

Yanagawa holds a variety of traditional events throughout the year. One of the best examples is the Hakushu Festival, a fantastic water parade held in memory of poet Kitahara Hakushu through the waterside town of Yanagawa. This festival brings together the efforts of local people, and the lively atmosphere of the entire region is impressive.
In addition to the Hakushu Festival, Yanagawa has a variety of other fascinating festivals.

Spring Scenes:

• Sagemon Meguri: This festival is one of the three major hanging doll festivals in Japan. They are displayed all over the town and herald the arrival of spring.
• Nakayama Wisteria Festival: The ancient wisteria flowers bloom in full glory, attracting many visitors.
• Okinohata Suitengu Festival: A traditional festival in which participants travel around the shrine on a boat.

Summer traditions:

• Nakajima Gion Festival: The fire-breathing giant snake float is fun for both children and adults.

Autumn Scenery:

• Mitsuhashira Shrine Autumn Festival (Onigie): This festival is characterized by its lively atmosphere, with lively music and floats parading through the town.
• Hakushu Festival: At the Water Parade, you can enjoy the hospitality of Yanagawa citizens of all ages and genders along the route.

Winter Scenery:

• Hakushu’s Birthday Celebration: A parade of large handcarts carrying Hakushu’s portrait and sake barrels will take place from his birthplace to the Poetry Monument.

 

These festivals are not just events, but important cultural traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation by local people.

Through festivals, people cooperate with each other and deepen ties throughout the community.

A traditional light that connects to the future

The passion of the people of Yanagawa is not just to protect the things of the past, but also to connect them to the future: passing on traditional festivals to future generations, preserving the beauty of the canals, and conveying the charm of Yanagawa to new generations.

Come and visit Yanagawa, a unique sustainable town that has existed since the Edo period.
(→Feature on Sustainable Town Yanagawa)

A local concierge will guide you to make your experience in Yanagawa more meaningful.