Yamanashi

Oct 14, 2015 - 1 min read

Shimizuya Information Center

Relax in an old Meiji Period inn in Akasawa-juku

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Visitors watching the clouds from the second floor

The beautifully polished balcony makes you want to sit there

The second floor overlooks the red iron roof of Osaka-ya Inn

An exhibition of paintings of the village and surrounding area on the second floor

The first floor feels open and airy

The peaceful calm of the first floor tatami space

Red spider lilies in a tall vase

A small shop sells local products like honey, hand made lamps and ink stones for calligraphy

Drinks and ice-cream on the menu

Old saws are displayed on the wall, in memory of many fine lumberjacks and carpenters who once lived and worked in Akasawa-juku

Ancient carpentry on one corner of the verandah....

....and modern carpentry on the other corner

Looking down at Shimizuya from the hillside

Ready for a short tour of the village in spite of the rain

Once Shimizuya was a busy inn full of Meiji Period pilgrims. These days it is still welcoming visitors to Akasawa-juku as an information center and rest space. You can relax with a cup of tea or coffee before or after you explore the ancient post town. Views of the village and Japan Alps from the windows are lovely in every season. There is also a small shop where you can purchase unique local souvenirs such as food (for example, honey) and handcrafts.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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