Attractions

Sanshu Asuke Yashiki

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Travel Guide

A stone’s throw from the spellbinding Korankei Valley, Sanshu Asuke Yashiki is a working open-air museum. Inside you will find replicas of landscapes from the Meiji Era (1868–1912) until 1955, with real ancient houses, such as gassho-styled thatched roof houses, and you can learn about the lives of the old-fashioned farmers who worked the land.

Keeping alive the near-forgotten Japanese tradition of handicrafts, at Sanshu Asuke Yashiki you can learn how things used to be done, and catch a glimpse of how life was lived more than one hundred years ago. Watch as skilled craftsmen demonstrate techniques of yesteryear, from the production of paper umbrellas to weaving and blacksmithing. On exhibit are straw sandals, okeya, kasabone, crafts, umbrella-making, papermaking, charcoal, blacksmithing, basketmaking, woodworking, and dying for you to see. Stroll around the traditional village of remodeled Meiji-period farmhouses where the community keeps their own livestock, grows their own vegetables, and mills their own rice.

Ashsuke-cho is a small town with more than 10,000 people. The tributary of the Yasawa River, Tomoe River, flows through the town. It is surrounded by mountains with a height of more than 1,000 meters. It was once a transportation fortress connecting the central mountainous region and the Pacific coast. Ina Road to Shinshu, Mino Road to East Mino, Iho Road to Nagoya, and Shichiri Road to Okazaki are all intersected here.

Ina Road was the way to transport obsidian from Lake Suwa during the Japanese Jomon period. The army of Kofu Takeda Shingen from during the Warring States Period in Japan traveled to and from all parts of Japan, and visitors from over Japan to Zenkoji Temple used this road, therefore, Ina Road is also called "Zenkoji Temple". In modern times, the salt merchants used this road to transport salt, which made the merchants rich. Since the salt produced along the banks of Sangabay was repacked here  and then transported to Shinshu, all the salt that had passed Asuke was called "Asuke salt".

Frequent material transportation has made Asuke more prosperous, but because of the opening of the National Railway Central Line in 1907, Asuke has completely lost the function of transportation to Shinshu. The prosperity of past can no longer be restored. Especially during the period of high growth after the war in Japan, the rapid changes in the mass movement of urban and rural populations made leaders in Asuke worry about the future development. Therefore, they are committed to promoting the tourism activities with the history of the beautiful nature and salt roads of the Aichi Prefecture.

Under such a trend, the outdoor museum "Sanshu Asuke Yashiki", which reproduced the rich peasant mansion of the Meiji period in Japan opened in 1980.

 
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Travel Advice

Hands-on experience

- After watching the masters at work, it’s time to put your own skills to the test. Join one of the interesting craft workshops and make your very own straw sandals, paper postcards or traditional rice cakes. There is an effort to engage in organic farming here at the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki and so you can try some of the harvested vegetables yourself on-site.

Sightseeing

- The accommodation facilities and barbecue area here are very popular; the pure Japanese-style accommodation huts is a place worth a night because it is cheap and has the old flavor that Japan misses. There are a total of 5 buildings, and each building can accommodate up to 6 adults. A grill for grilling meat is attached next to the hut. The iron plates and nets are also provided. What you have to do is to prepare the food only to enjoy the barbecue. If you make an reservation, they will prepare the food for you. However, it should be noted that there is no electricity in the house, so no electrical appliances can be used. Temporarily isolated from civilization, it is also good to relax and enjoy the nature life.

- Credit cards are not accepted here, please pay in cash.


 
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Visit

Address 36 Iimori, Asuke-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi
Phone 0565-62-1188
Admission Adult: 300 yen
Child: 100 yen
Adult: over 18
Child: from 6 to 17
10% off for group over 20
Hours 09:00 to 17:00 Entry until 30 minutes before closing
Closed Every Thuresday. The following day if a public holiday falls on the day.
December 24 to January 2
Third Wednesday on June and December 16
April 29 to May 5
Open all days in November
Duration 30 munites
Getting There By Train

70 minutes ride by Meitetsu Bus bound for Asuke from Higashi-Okazaki Station on Nagoya Honsen of Nagoya Railway to the Korankei Valley bus stop, then walk approximately 10 minute.


By Car
Take Tokai-Kanjo Expressway to the Toyota-Kanpachi exit and take National Highway route 153. It is approximately 15 kilometers 20 minutes from exit.
Parking Free parking available
 
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Attractions in Japan

 
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