Relive History and Experience Authentic Japan:: Tenshu Village

By Lai Peixuan | Photography by Chi Binghui

Tenshu Village is just a 30-minute drive from Akita Airport and is a preserved village of traditional Japanese architecture. The site centers around Tenshu Castle, surrounded by standalone buildings such as those of traditional samurai families, farmers, iron craftsmen, and textile weavers, along with a history museum, art gallery, and cultural history exhibition hall that can be visited.

Hundreds of years ago, a nobleman named Tenshu Hayao established his home on Tenshu Mountain (now known as Takajo Mountain). Years later, he died in battle, leaving behind the well-preserved Tenshu Village. The village retains the 22-meter-high Tenshu Castle, which houses a restaurant, shops, meeting rooms, and is available for hosting traditional gatherings and weddings. The Sasaki, Endo, and Unuma families were samurai households, while the Kamada family were blacksmiths.

Currently, the site features many elderly women dressed in kimono who are dedicated to promoting traditional Japanese arts. They offer experiences such as tea ceremony classes and demonstrations of traditional weaving techniques. Within Tenshu Castle, there are also services for private group dining and banquet cuisine.