Enjoy a scenic cruise through the city of Yanagawa in a traditional poled boat and then browse a museum in the former estate of the clan that once ruled here.
Settle in for a leisurely 90 minute drive through the picturesque rural countryside and on to Yanagawa, a city near the mouth of the Chikugo-gawa River. Upon arriving, you will ease into a “donko-bune,” a traditional, flat-bottomed boat that is poled much like a gondola.
While cruising down the gently flowing river, you will pass through the willow-lined canals that were moats for the formidable castle that once stood here. Other highlights include historical samurai houses, red-brick warehouses and traditional storehouses with walls that are reinforced with geometric tiles. This style of wall is known as namako, meaning “sea cucumber,” because the plaster’s arched shape resembles the marine creature.
The magnificent museum chronicles the often turbulent, 400-year history of the Tachibana clan. Although the exhibits change seasonally, you can expect to see armor and swords, extraordinary costumes and Noh masks, tea ceremony utensils and precious Hina dolls from the Edo period.
