Yanagawa City

Yanagawa is a city in the southern part of Fukuoka Prefecture. It was the site of the Tachibana Han castle. “Han” refers to a province during the Edo Period, one of the samurai periods in Japan. Yanagawa retains some of the atmosphere of an old town and is known for two main attractions: its network of creeks and its eel cuisine.

Creeks

Yanagawa is famous for its network of dug creeks. You can enjoy cruising through these creeks on a small tour boat. Both sides of the creeks are lined with beautiful trees, especially willow trees. In fact, “Yana” in Yanagawa means willow trees. You can also see old-fashioned Japanese houses along the creeks.

Kawakudari Cruising

Kawakudari is a creek cruising tour in Yanagawa. You can board a small boat called a Donko-Bune, piloted by a guide who rows the boat and provides commentary. While listening to the guide’s explanations, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the creek. The boat ride lasts a little more than one hour.

English Official Site: Suigo Yanagawa Kanko Inc. http://kawakudari.com/#

The Honmaru (main enclosure) and Ninomaru (second enclosure) are surrounded by inner moats. The south side of the Honmaru is guarded by the Sannomaru (third enclosure), the west side by the West-Sannomaru, and the north side by the North-Sannomaru. These are further surrounded by middle moats. The area outside these enclosures is still part of Jonai, the castle premises, which is surrounded by outer moats. Beyond Jonai, the castle is further protected by two connecting rivers. In short, Yanagawa Castle is defended by quadruple moats.

Traveling south in the canal, you will find yourself in front of the Hori Water Gate. This gate takes water from the north-flowing river and directs it into the outer, middle, and inner moats. It is the only water gate to enter the castle. If anything happens, the gate can be closed, and the embankment in the upper river can be broken, causing the castle grounds to flood and turn the castle into an island.

Once Yanagawa is flooded, its swampy terrain makes it difficult for military forces to march on the wet land. Moreover, the moats function as defensive pitfalls. This gate is key to defending the castle by managing the surrounding water.

The center moat surrounds Sannomaru, West-Sannomaru, and North-Sannomaru, which in turn surround the Honmaru and Ninomaru. The canal where Kuomon Bridge crosses is straight on the east side, but the other three sides have some turning points, indicating an intention to enhance defense. This design may be because Honmaru is on the west side. The goal of the water route is Mihashira Shrine, which enshrines the first lord Muneshige, his father Dousetsu, and his wife Ginchiyo. Mihashira means three deities. In 1783, the seventh lord Akinao Tachibana built an altar in the precincts of Chokyu Temple to enshrine Dousetsu. In 1826, the ninth lord Akitaka relocated it to its present place.