I took part in the first “Citizens’ Walking Day” of 2024 (Reiwa 6).
The January route was in Tamashima, in western Kurashiki City.
Tamashima is my hometown, and I know this route well, but usually I just hurry through it.
I was excited to join, hoping that walking slowly with many other people would help me rediscover the charms of Tamashima that I had never noticed before.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in February 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is “Citizens’ Walking Day”?
“Citizens’ Walking Day” is a walking event organized by the Kurashiki City Sports Promotion Committee, the Kurashiki Walking Association, and the Kojima Walking Association.
Each month, participants walk through one of the Kurashiki, Mizushima, Kojima, Tamashima, or Mabi areas, visiting historic sites, parks, and other places.
The first “Citizens’ Walking Day” of Reiwa 6 was held on Sunday, January 14, when participants walked the “Tamashima Area: Haguro Shrine Course.”
The route starts at Shin-Kurashiki Station and follows the Tame River for a round trip of about 7 km.
Although it was January, the weather was not especially cold, and about 80 people took part, ranging from children to seniors.
Overview of the Haguro Shrine Course in Tamashima
The walk started at Shin-Kurashiki Station at 9 a.m.
From Shin-Kurashiki Station, we headed south, first to Tamekawa Park.
From there, the route passes Tomachi Shopping Street and Saiso-tei, then turns back at Shinko Bridge. It then heads to Haguro Shrine, loops around Agasaki Park, and returns to Shin-Kurashiki Station.
We walked through the atmospheric old town centre of Tamashima.
The only uphill section is the stairs leading up to Haguro Shrine; the rest of the route is flat and easy for anyone to walk.
A waterside retreat: Tamekawa Park
After walking for about 25 minutes from Shin-Kurashiki Station,
we arrived at Tamekawa Park.
The park is spacious, and you can really appreciate the wide-open sky. Mt. Yosho is visible among the mountains in the distance.
Tamekawa Park has a windmill that turns slowly in the breeze, playground equipment, and a rest pavilion. Families and people out for a stroll were each enjoying their day off.
Lots of rapeseed flowers were blooming by the waterside, where ducks swim, making it look like a yellow carpet.
Against the backdrop of the flowers, participants were taking photos with cheerful smiles.
Cross the drum-can bridge to the Showa-retro Tomachi Shopping Street
From Tamekawa Park, we headed to Shinbori River Park, opposite Tamashima Library.
We crossed the drum-can bridge on our way to Tomachi Shopping Street. As its name suggests, the drum-can bridge is a floating bridge made from oil drums.
It was also used as a filming location for the movie “Tonbi.” It is a rather unusual bridge that you don’t see elsewhere.
When we entered Tomachi Shopping Street, it was bustling with the “Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market,” held on the second Sunday of every month. The appetizing smells of yakitori and bread made us slow our pace without even realizing it.
A Tamashima merchant’s residence: Old Yunoki House (Saiso-tei)
Go through Torimachi Shopping Street and turn onto the next street. Quiet homes line the road, and farther along is Old Yunoki House (Saiso-tei).
Old Yunoki House (Saiso-tei) is the former residence of a village headman who served the Bitchu-Matsuyama Domain.
It is said that Kumada Ataka, a samurai of the Bitchu-Matsuyama Domain, took his own life here to save the lives of his subordinates.
As I listened with interest to the guide’s explanation, I felt as though I had traveled back in time.
We had walked about 4 km from the start.
I was able to rest my feet for a while, sitting on the veranda and gazing at the quiet garden.
Haguro Shrine, guarded by karasu tengu
After walking about 500 metres from Saiso-tei, we arrived at Haguro Shrine.
The shrine was established to pray for the success of land reclamation work in Tamashima. It is so beloved by local people that when they think of a shrine in Tamashima, they think of Haguro Shrine.
The participants visited the shrine in small groups.
We also greeted the karasu tengu on the roof tiles.
It seemed as though they were watching over the town of Tamashima from the rooftop.
From the Writer
The Haguro Shrine Course in Tamashima offered a chance to enjoy the charms of Tamashima while taking in the waterside scenery, wild birds, and flowers along the Tame River.
Walking the route also reminded me that Tamashima is closely connected to water, with the Tame River and Tamashima Port.
Although the centre of Tamashima is some distance from Shin-Kurashiki Station, it is just the right distance for an enjoyable walk.
The average walking pace was around 4 km per hour.
Even with a large group, we were able to walk at a relaxed pace without rushing.
Why not join “Citizens’ Walking Day” and enjoy rediscovering the charms of Kurashiki City?
The next event will be held on Sunday, February 11, Reiwa 6. The approximately 9 km route follows the Kaze no Michi in Kojima, Kurashiki City, and visits the Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum.
- 8:45 a.m.: Meet at Kojima Station
- 9 a.m.: Start
The challenging route, with an uphill climb toward Washuzan Hill, also sounds fun.
First-time participants must fill out the “Reiwa 5 Citizens’ Walking Day Participation Application Form.”
Reiwa 5 Citizens’ Walking Day Information
| Name | Reiwa 5 Citizens’ Walking Day |
|---|---|
| Location | Kurashiki City (Kurashiki, Mizushima, Kojima, Tamashima, Mabi) |
| Participation fee (tax included) | Free |
| Website | Reiwa 5 Citizens’ Walking Day |
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