Yanagawa travel guide

On a Yanagawa canal cruise, you board a small boat called

a “Donko-bune” and drift slowly down the river. The boat is

skillfully maneuvered by a boatman using a single bamboo pole.

We highly recommend the 30-minute cruise that starts from

Okinohata and takes you around the scenic Ohana estate and

Shotoen Garden.

Designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty, this estate was

built in 1697 as a villa for Akitora Tachibana, the fourth lord of

the Yanagawa Domain. At the time, the area was known as

“Hanabatake” (Flower Field), which led locals to affectionately

call the villa “Ohana,” meaning flower.

Yanagawa is the birthplace of the renowned poet Hakushu

Kitahara. His legacy is honored by a memorial museum and

numerous stone monuments inscribed with his poetry, which

can be found throughout the city.

Yanagawa is the birthplace of “Seiro-mushi” (steamed eel),

a dish with a history of over 300 years. The city is home to

many long-established restaurants, each of which has

preserved its own traditional secret sauce and prestigious

brand value for generations.

Yanagawa faces the Ariake Sea, where a variety of fresh and

unique seafood is caught. We highly recommend trying the

local Japanese cuisine that features these seasonal delicacies.