Obi: Edo-style Streets and Local Street ｜THE GATE｜Japan Travel Magazine: Find Tourism & Travel Info

Throughout Japan, there are many towns nicknamed “Little Kyoto” for their old-fashioned streets and nostalgic feeling.
Kyushu’s very own Little Kyoto is the town of Obi in Miyazaki prefecture’s city of Nichinan.
The streets of Obi are very well reserved, and retain Edo period architecture. Stroll the streets of Obi to slip back into 1800s Japan.

What is “Little Kyoto”?

Towns with Kyoto-like retro streets and ambiance are referred to as “Little Kyoto”. It is said that Little Kyotos were a result of regional feudal lords creating towns that imitated Kyoto’s structure.

Obi’s History

Between 1588 and 1860, Obi was a castle town owned by the Obi Domain’s Ito clan. Though Obi’s geographical features were not fit for agriculture, the area was rich in cedar trees.
The cedar trees were used as lumber and resulted in Obi flourishing from lumber trade. Around 1900, Obi was an important town in the politics and economics of southern Kyushu.

Walking Around Obi

Don’t Start Walking Without Street Food Map!

Before you begin your Obi stroll, purchase the Ayumi-chan Street Food Map! The map comes with five tickets that you can exchange for street foods and an entrance ticket to all historical facilities in Obi.

You can also get a map with the five street food tickets and entrance tickets to three historical facilities. The street food tickets can also be used for souvenirs and smaller non-food items.

・ 5 street food tickets + entrance tickets to all historical facilities: ¥1200
・ 5 street food tickets + entrance tickets to three historical facilities (Merchant House Museum, Ihei Yamamoto House, Takahashi Genjiro House): ¥700

Obi-jo Castle / Otemon Gate – 飫肥城/大手門

Otemon Gate

Although Obi-jo Castle’s castle keep is gone, the castle walls and stone stops still remain from the Edo period (1603 – 1867).
The castle wall is kept in great shape and you can still see every inch of its structure up close.
You will also find Otemon Gate at the entrance of Obi-jo. Four 100+ year-old Obi cedars are used for this 1978 remake of the original gate. The gate is built in a traditional Edo period style.

Yoshokan –豫章館

Yoshokan

After entering from Otemon, you will see Yoshokan to your right. The building was made in 1869 and served as the residence for the Ito clan.
This house was of the highest social status in Obi during the Edo period. On the southern side of the residence is a beautiful Japanese garden.

Matsuo-no-maru – 松尾の丸

A guest room of Matsuo-no-maru

Obi Castle had 9 buildings in total, and one was Matsuo-no-maru. The current Matsuo-no-maru was built using Obi Cedar in 1979, and is a remake of the original.
The building includes a tearoom, bathroom, living room and more. The bathroom has a steam room, and is like an Edo-style sauna.

Happiness Cedars “Shiawase-sugi” – 幸せすぎ

Happiness Cedars

The four cedar trees, each placed in a corner by the history museum, are called “Shiawase-sugi”, meaning “happiness cedars”.
“Shiawase” means happiness and four things coming together, and “shiawase-sugi” means too happy and happy cedar.
It is said that standing in the center of the four cedar trees gives you maximum luck and happiness.

Obi-jo History Museum – 飫肥城歴史史料館

In the Obi-jo History Museum, documents and items during Obi’s days as a domain are exhibited.
Armor, weaponry, clothes and more items are displayed, adding up to a total of about 220 artifacts.
Many of the weaponry are from the Warring Period (1467 - 1603), and you can see them up close.

Shihan Mato Experience

Shihan Mato

Shihan Mato is a style of archery native to Obi, and you can experience it during your trip.
The sport originated amongst Southern Kyushu warriors as a fun game. Beginners are welcome, as there are instructors ready to teach you how to shoot your first bow.

Obi’s Street Foods

Obi-style Tamagoyaki

Obi-style Tamagoyaki "Atsuyaki Tamago"

The Obi-style tamagoyaki is a must when visiting the town.
The tamagoyaki, or rolled omelet, is sweeter and bouncier compared to usual tamagoyaki, and is an Obi delicacy. The Obi-style tamagoyaki has been around since the Edo period!

【Obi-style Tamagoyaki Recommendation】
『Atsuyaki-dokoro　Obi-no-chaya』
The tamagoyaki served at Obi-no-chaya are made carefully and individually. Each roll is slow-cooked for one hour!

Obi-ten – 飫肥天

Obi-ten

Obi-ten has been loved by locals since the Edo period. This Obi-original tempura is made of minced fish, tofu, brown sugar and miso. There isn’t any other tempura quite like Obi-ten.

Obi-ten – 飫肥天

Obi-ten

Obi-ten has been loved by locals since the Edo period. This Obi-original tempura is made of minced fish, tofu, brown sugar and miso. There isn’t any other tempura quite like Obi-ten.

【Obi-ten Recommendation】
『Obi-ten Kura』
The restaurant locates by Obi-jo’s Otemon gate. Other than Obi-ten, Kura has all sorts of Obi regional specialties.

Obi Senbei – 飫肥せんべい

Obi Senbei, or rice cracker, is made from just rice and sugar. The rice is pounded into mochi and then shaped and baked.
Two baked senbei are then sandwiched, with a layer of sugar syrup in the middle. The snack is simple and sweet with a nice crunch.

【Obi Senbei Recommendation】
『Obi Senbei』
Obi Senbei, the shop, has a history of 60 years. Other than the traditional Obi Senbei, they sell a new version called OBISEN, which features a sugarless senbei and some jam to go with it.