Last week we visited Yunogo Hot Springs (湯郷温泉）in Mimasaka, Okayama prefecture. We stayed at the Chikutei Inn. There is a toy museum with a large collection of vintage music boxes there. There is a Music Box Concert once every 90 minutes. WE enjoyed that part of the museum most of all so be sure not to miss it!
We drove back into town for an unremarkable lunch. We parked by the City office and walked along a back street trying to find some Showa-era shops. We finally gave up but saw an old sign for the Mimasaka Historical Museum. The problem is, no one in the town had ever heard of it!
Finally we got directions and started off. We got to the general area and dropped into a ceramics shop to inquire. The owner, Nakayama-san was very friendly and showed us where the Museum used to be!
Nakayama-san insisted on serving us tea. We had coffee and Chinese tea, which she studies, in an old warehouse converted into an event hall. There was even a baby grand piano for concerts. She says there are classes in English, pilates, Chinese tea and singing.
After this nice break, we went to our inn. Unfortunately, the dinner was not so great. Our room was lovely. The most remarkable thing, however was the outdoor bath. In Japan, the outdoor bath is shut off from view of others but usually has a beautiful view of mountains or sea. This time, we had to climb steep uneven stone steps, winding up the side of a hill. It isn’t easy at my age!
Still, this was an exciting experience for me. I nicknamed this the “ObakeYashiki Bath!” (Haunted House Bath)
The next day, we started off early, taking the Yonago Road to the first exit at Kuse. The old Senkyo Elementary School, completed in 1907, still stands and has been used as a location in many films. (八墓村 蛍の墓 など）
The curator, Mr. Nisshu, showed us some interesting things, then left us to wander around the building. I definitely recommend you stop here! It brings back a forgotten era!
Quaint Old Katsuyama: Town of Noren Banners
The beautiful banners, or noren, at the front of each shop on this street are the creation of Yoko Kano, dyer and weaver. Her gallery, Hinoki, is located here. we were able to meet and talk with her. If you call a week in advance, you can participate in a dying workshop. The shop is open from 10:00 to 17:00, closed Wednesdays.(0867-44-2013)
I purchased some coasters, but there were many lovely bags, noren and other items on sale. I hope to visit here again. Another interesting feature for me is that she has a “used book corner” in the shop!
We were getting hungry and didn’t feel like soba ..and just then saw a menu board for a cafe that had ice cream too! So we climbed many stone steps to reach the Hishio kissa Coffee Shop. It was worth it! We really enjoyed the Hashed Beef plate and our ice cream, too!
Katsuyama is are about 2 and a half hours from Hiroshima on the Chugoku expressway. Last year we stayed at the Yubara Hot Springs just north of here. We loved the inn called Hana Yashiki (花やしき）as everyone was so kind and there is a great rooftop bath which you can reserve for private use for 50 minutes!
We met and talked with Mr. Hatsumoto at his souvenir shop.He and his wife take part in the local festival, she dancing and he singing. So their noren banner features Japanese dancers! He was so nice to us!
I will go to Katsuyama with my daughters some day! It is a lovely and picturesque old town!
Baba's Kitchen 