In the
northwest of Kurashiki city, there is a historic post town called Yakage. It
takes around 30 minutes from the city center of Kurashiki, either by car or by
train.
The main street, Honjin Street, runs very straight for 800 meters lined with traditional wooden townhouses. Still remain an Inn and sub inn where feudal lords and government officials stayed at during the long travels from their home to Edo (Tokyo) and back in the old days. Feudal lords were required to go to Edo in every two years to show their loyalty at that time. Now, the feudal lords procession is reproduced at Yakage Post Town Festival on the 2nd Sunday in November every year.
Walking
through this old town would be fun, but there is another exciting way to go
around in Yakage. You can rent Walking Bicycle for sightseeing.
What is Walking Bicycle?
Have you ever heard about it? Maybe no.
Here it is!
It looks like a tall tricycle without a saddle. Walking Bicycle moves by stepping, instead of pedaling. This vehicle was developed by an automobile parts supplier, Katayama Kogyo, based in Ibara city (next to Yakage town). To know more about Walking Bicycle please visit walking bicycle club website below.
walking bicycle club
Would you
like to try to ride? You can rent walking Bicycle at Yakagemachiya Exchange
Center (Yakage Machiya Koryukan)
located in the town center. The price is only 400 yen for 2 hours. They also
have normal bicycles to rent.
As it is with an electric motor, it is easy to move forward. However, changing direction might be a bit difficult, since you can’t lean when turning.
You need to turn the handle, and the turning tend be wider. Watch out for cars.
Riding on Walking Bicycle can be a good exercise.
Stepping on it may feel like working out on steppers in a fitness gym.
Yakage town was one of the largest Japanese
mint producing districts until 40 years ago. However, all of mint farms stopped
producing Japanese mint due to market changes. In 2010, Japanese mint was found
on river beds in Yakage town. It was confirmed as the offspring of the Japanese
mint once grown here. A mint distillery was founded in the town center, which
opens Saturdays and Sundays. You can taste mint gelato made with local Japanese
mint at the café next to Yakagemachiya Exchange Center.
Ishii House, the official inn for feudal
lords during feudal lord's procession.
How to get to Yakage? Even if you don’t have
a car, it is no problem. It is easy to access from Okayama or Kurashiki. Take
Ibara Railway from JR Soja or JR Kiyone station, and get off at Yakage station.
It is a nice train ride overlooking the country-side view from the elevated
railway tracks. If you are lucky, you might be able to get on the special train
called Yume-Yasuragi train (means “Dream
and comfort”), which is a classic Japan themed train.
The town center is 15-minute walk away from the station. In the evening, you can see a beautiful sunset from Yakage station.
Yakagemachiya Exchange Center provides
English maps and brochures, and sells a variety of quality local products
approved as “Yakage-town brand”.
Japanese sweets “Hana-yuzu” made by
a local confectionery.
White bean jelly in a glazed yuzu citrus
peel.
Yakappi
Well, to be honest, when I first saw Yakappi,
I thought that he was kind of weird. But as I saw him several times, I am
totally fascinated by Yakappi! How adorable he is! Of course I have some
Yakappi items. I am so sorry Yakappi, I was wrong. You are not weird at all!
Look at Yakappi on bicycle… so cute! Don’t
ask him why he is on a bicycle when he can fly. It doesn’t matter!
Old post town landscape, Walking Bicycles,
and Yakappi. Don’t they sound fascinating? And you’ll find more interesting things
and spots in Yakage!
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