🗺️ Chuya Old Town Village

Quietly nestled at an altitude of 500 meters, Chūya Town was once a prosperous mining town known for its production of copper and benigara (red iron oxide). The local wealthy merchants, who became rich from copper mining, established a unique town landscape here from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. The mansions of these merchants are intricately designed and quite impressive, while the entire town features a unified plan, reportedly created with the help of court carpenters using advanced techniques of the time. The benigara produced in Chūya is used in various representative crafts across Japan, such as temples, Kutani ware, Imari ware, and Wajima lacquerware, which is why this place is also known as the origin of the special Japanese impression "Japan Red." The streets are lined with reddish-brown Sekishu tiles and checkered walls dyed with benigara, alongside trendy cafes and shops. In addition to the old Kitayama residence, the local museum, the former Hirokane residence, and the Benigara Museum, visitors can also explore the ruins of the copper mines. Furthermore, at the Chūya tourism center "Shitamachi Hirabou," you can participate in hands-on experiences to make handkerchiefs or bags using benigara dyeing and mud dyeing techniques. Photo provided by (One Association) Takasago City Tourism Association.

Recognized as the birthplace of "Japan Red," this Japanese heritage site features nostalgic streets uniformly adorned in benigara red. Visitors can explore the homes of wealthy merchants, the ruins of copper mines, and also experience benigara dyeing.