Yuki

Yuki is a traditional town of Ibaraki prefecture located a few kilometers north of Tokyo. There are many traditional buildings called Misegura dating back to the Edo and Meiji periods. These buildings are also mostly from Kurazukuri architecture designed to withstand fires. You will find many small shops offering mulberry jam, boiled manjyu, local specialities. But Yuki is best known for the craftsmanship of Kimono and silk "Yuki tsumugi", whose method of manufacture is recognized by UNESCO's intangible cultural property. You can try this practice or have fun wearing a kimono. There is also a renowned sake factory and miso makers.

 

Koga

A few kilometers south of Yuki and 60 kilometers from Tokyo is Koga, a small town surrounded by nature, which has more than 1000 years of history and still keeps these traditional buildings. This small town has engraved snowflakes on its ground, because during the Edo period, the daimyo Toshitsura Doi published a book called Zekka Zusetsu, dedicated to the different forms that a snowflake can have. Thus, the snowflake is today the symbol of the city. From the end of March to the beginning of April, there is a festival of peach blossoms which has been awarded by UNESCO. In August is also held a magnificent fireworks display. You can also explore the ruins of Koga Castle, whose renovated walls will take you back in time, as well as the ancient samurai mansions of the Takami Senseki Memorial. There is also a very rare museum of a painter of the Edo period, Seiko Okuhara, born in Koga. Not far, you can enjoy a stroll in the street Sakanamachi (sakana means fish in Japanese and machi, the street) where line the small stalls of fish merchants, who formerly fed the courtyard of the castle. Do not miss a delicious local sake in the beautiful Oyasumi Dokoro building and Edo period houses on a street that simply bears the name of Edo Street.
 

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