Hyogo Historical Tour popular among those who are history buff: 3 best places at Kohama in Takarazuka City to retrace Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s steps

Located at Takarazuka city in Hyogo Prefecture, Kohama (小浜) is a historical town developed by monks and local people together around the 1460s. It flourished as a town full of inns and was called ‘Kohama-juku (小浜宿)’ because 3 highways leading to Fushimi (Kyoto), Nishinomiya (Hyogo) and Arima Hot Spring Town (Hyogo) were maintained. Such Kohama has many spots with a tasteful and traditional atmosphere still now. From among them, we’re going to introduce 3 hidden sightseeing spots: a temple that played an important role in the birth of Kohama, Takarazuka’s oldest private house and a historical folk museum telling the history of Kohama area.

All of spots are within 5 minutes’ walk from ‘Kohama Bus Stop’ where it takes about 10 minutes from JR and Hankyu Takarazuka Station.

The key temple in the birth and development of Kohama where Hideyoshi and Sen no Rikyu stayed -“Gosho-ji Temple”

“Gosho-ji Temple (毫摂寺)” was built along the Kamo River in Kyoto in the 1300s, but relocated at Kohama after being destroyed by fire during Samurai’s battle. This event became the start of Kohama’s long history. Lots of famous Samurai visited here, and Hideyoshi Toyotomi who was a feudal lord and completed the 16th-century unification of Japan also stayed in this area with Sen no Rikyu that had the most profound influence on the Japanese tea ceremony when he was heading to Arima Hot Spring Town. Besides, the following sad episode is told: Hidetsugu (Hideyoshi’s nephew) fell in love with the daughter of the chief priest of the temple and married and took great care of her. But he was accused of being a rebel by Hideyoshi and performed ritual suicide. His wife was also executed in Kyoto. After that, Gosho-ji had been burned again, but it regained its power as the transportation hub. The crest on its roof tiles and the five white lines drawn on the earthen walls indicate its high prestige.

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	5-5-12 Kohama, Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture
Access	A 1-minute walk from Kohama Bus Stop
URL	https://kanko-takarazuka.jp/english/recommend/culture_detail.php?id=106

The historical folk museum telling us the customs and lifestyles of 300 years ago -“Old Wada House”

“Old Wada House (旧和田邸宅)” used to be owned by Wada Family, a village headman. Built about 300 years ago, this house is one of Takarazuka city’s oldest residences and registered as a tangible cultural property of Takarazuka city. Today, it’s opened to the public as a historical folk museum to pass down how the period was to the next generation. It consists of 6 rooms and features about 20cm tall wooden partitions to separate each room. It seemed that servants must not stride them. In addition, there are rooms for guests, attic for servants and so on, we can learn how strict the status system of the era was. It might be good to have a relaxing time while seeing the picture-like Japanese-style garden, which appears when you open shoji screens.

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 4:00PM　Closed on Monday and New Year’s Holidays (from 28th December to 4th January)
Address	1-8-25 Maitani, Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Kohama Bus Stop
URL	http://www.city.takarazuka.hyogo.jp.e.pc.hp.transer.com/kyoiku/rekishi/1036695/1029041/index.html

The guide kindly explains the history of Kohama area and items that people used a long time ago -“Kohamajuku Museum”

Reference from 宝塚を散歩しよう “小浜の町＆’山のカフェレストラン「THETERRACE」‘”

“Kohamajuku Museum (宝塚市立小浜宿資料館)” has various exhibits related to Kohama’s history, such as a diorama that elaborately reproduces the former cityscape of Kohama and carpentry tools and signs that were used by local people hundreds of years ago. The staff explains each of them, so you can deepen your understanding. Don’t forget to stop by at ‘Tama Well (玉の井)’! It’s said that Sen no Rikyu drew water from this well when Hideyoshi ordered him to prepare tea.

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 4:00PM　Closed on Monday and New Year’s Holidays (from 28th December to 4th January)
Address	5-6-9 Kohama, Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Kohama Bus Stop
URL	https://kanko-takarazuka.jp/english/recommend/culture_detail.php?id=95