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Japan's oldest recorded book compiled 1,300 years ago mentions that there is a graveyard of one of the primordial gods, Izanami. Shobara is the oldest village in Japan, dating back to the time of ancient Japanese culture.
The oldest region in Japan
The Chugoku Mountain area, where Shobara City is located, is one of the oldest regions in Japan.
The oldest extant document in Japan, Kojiki, was compiled in 712 AD and described the history of the Japanese imperial family starting from the legendary era. In the Kojiki, there is a description of Mount Hiba, located in present-day Shobara City.
In the book, there is a description of “Mt. Hiba,” located in present-day Shobara. Mount Hiba is described as the graveyard of the goddess Izanami. Even today, a huge stone called “Goryo” is enshrined at the top of Mount Hiba as a symbol of Izanami.
It is said that the goddess Izanami, together with her husband Izanagi, gave birth to the land of Japan, which shows how old the history of the goddess is.
Shobara is a very mystical area. In addition to the mausoleum, there is a shrine called Kumano Shrine. Even though it has the same name as the famous World Heritage Kumano Shrine in Wakayama Prefecture, the shrine is said to be older than the World Heritage site. Also, there is Mt. Ashitake, where a series of huge stones that is known as Japan's pyramid can be seen.
INFORMATION
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Different from modern houses, old houses built in Japan's unique manner allows you to know and feel the life of Japanese people before the modern age. Shobara is the largest village of old houses in Japan.
Historic Japanese architecture made entirely of natural materials.
Japanese historical buildings have a unique structure suited to the topography and climate of Japan.
Buildings are made of only natural materials such as wood, soil, paper, and stone and are structurally unique as they are simply built on the ground without any foundation.
Even the youngest houses are over 100 years old, and unfortunately, the number of these houses is decreasing every year. The percentage of old traditional houses remaining in Shobara is the second-highest in Japan, making it the easiest place in Japan to find old houses. When you come to Shobara, you will see a village with almost no modern architecture and only traditional houses with tiled or hipped roofs.
These pre-modern houses are a valuable cultural heritage that allows you to experience the life of the Japanese people before the modern era, and Shobara is a place where you can enjoy this cultural heritage amply.
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This area was the largest producer of iron in Japan from ancient times to modern times, and there are many traces of Tatara iron manufacturing before modern iron making. It is also said that this area was the setting for the movie "Princess Mononoke."
The largest iron production area in Japan.
In the Chugoku Mountains, where culture has flourished since ancient times, iron production prospered from a very early stage.
The soil in the Chugoku Mountains is rich in iron, and it is said that iron production began as early as the 6th century.
Later, around the 11th century, the area became the largest iron producer in Japan and prospered as a cutting-edge iron producer for a long time until modern iron production technology was introduced from overseas about 100 years ago.
In the animated film "Princess Mononoke," the iron production center called "Tatara-ba" located in the mountains is said to have been based on the Tatara fields around Shobara in the Middle Ages.
The remnants of the "Tatara field" and the deep forest around it that still remain today bring the image of the anime world to life.
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Have you ever tried traditional Japanese cuisine? Here, you can try seasonal dishes that are made from ancient Japanese ingredients.
Lakes, rivers, mountains, snow, and old townscapes.
Enjoy the various attractions and activities available only in the Shobara area.
A traditional Japanese house built over 100 years ago has been transformed into a luxurious vacation rental.
Please feel the history and spend your time here.
Mountains, lakes, and valleys spread over a vast area of Shobara. The beauty and grandeur of this place fascinate people, as it retains the appearance of nature as it has been since ancient times.
