Yanai

While not a major tourist destination, Yanai offers a variety of sites and activities that make this a good day trip from Miyajima or Hiroshima.

Rail

Yanai can be reached via the JR Sanyo Rail from Hiroshima (Westbound) or Tokuyama (Eastbound). Travelers on the shinkansen must disembark at either JR Tokuyama Station or Hiroshima Station.

Ferry

Regular ferry services connects Yanai by way of Yanai Minato JR Station to Mitsu, a suburb of Matsuyama (Ehime) and Beppu (Oita).

Car

Yanai can be reached by exiting the Sanyo Expressway at Kuga and proceeding Southbound on Prefectural Road 70.

Yanai's most famous attribute is the charming and picturesque Shirakabe No Machi located approximately 1 km north of the Yanai JR station. Most of the homes and buildings in the district date back to the Edo Period (1600-1867). There are many shops specializing in local handicrafts as well as a locally famous Soy Sauce factory.
Located in Shirakabe no Machi is the large and culturally important House of Kunimori Family. the house, built in the late 18th century is a good example of a typical merchant class residence from the mid-Edo period. Admission is ¥200 for adults and ¥100 for children.
A much larger museum and old merchant residence is Muroyama no Sono. The residence was constructed by the Oda family around 1702 from revenues generated from the family's control of the lucrative rapeseed oil trade in Western Japan. The complex, which has been faithfully preserved, includes several warehouses and ancestral home that showcase various antiques from the Edo period as well as items from the Meiji and Showa eras. An elderly man, who is a descendant of the Oda family, is the curator and can provide a wonderful insight into the building and many of its contents. Admission fee is ¥350 for adults and ¥200 for children. The museum is open from 09:00-17:00 every day except Wednesdays.
The Shoko-an Temple grounds hosts a small well with nearby willow tree that is reputed to be the origin of name of Yanai (Well of the Willow Tree in Japanese). According to legend, a princess traveling through the region 1400 years ago is said to have briefly stopped at the well to quench her thirst. A toothpick discarded near the well during this brief stop is said to have grown into the large willow tree that is now there.

• Yamaguchi Flower Land

  phone: +81 820-24-1187
  address: Shinjo 500-1

• Southern Baths and Marine Park

  phone: +81 820-22-2111

Events

Yanai has several unique local festivals each year.

• Paper Goldfish FestivalThe festival is in honor of Yanai's most famous and noteworthy product: the goldfish lantern. Various teams compete to parade and spin large versions of the lanterns to the beat of a Taiko (Japanese Drum) and chorus. A large firework display concludes the festival.

• Yanai Daishi EnnichiThis event is a day when memorial services are held for Kouboudaishi. On festival day, about 20 markets are held.

Golf

There are several golf courses surrounding Yanai:

• Yanai Country Club

  phone: +81 820-28-1111
  address: Hizumi 12372-1
  18 holes.

• Iwakuni Country Club

  phone: +81 827-63-0331
  address: 1000 Yuumachi
  18 holes.

• Heizei Seaside Golf Club

  phone: +81 820-56-2358
  address: 452-3 Sone, Hirao-chō
  9 holes.

• Iwakuni Century Golf Club

  phone: +81 827-38-1177
  address: Tsuzu 24-70
  18 holes.

Yanai's most famous souvenir is a paper goldfish lantern (kingyo chouchin). It can be found at various shops in and around Yanai. Yanaijima fabric goods are notable for the vivid colored striped pattern and smooth texture. Kanro soy sauce is a high quality soy sauce brewed at the locally famous Sagawa Soy Sauce Brewery. Its method of brewing adds a sweet flavor that makes it prized for use with sushi and sashimi throughout the Chugoku and Kansai region.

• MadDope

  phone: +81 820-23-7654
  address: Minamimachi 1-3-3
  An eclectic shop featuring locally produced Japanese hip-hop CDs and Japanese fashion.

There are many reasonably priced and delicious dining options in Yanai.

• Kamaya

  phone: +81 820-23-3141
  address: Minamimachi 7-2-5
  A local family-run udon establishent featuring freshly made udon.

• Shinatora

  address: Minamimachi 3-4-6
  An excellent ramen noodle restaurant. What sets the restaurant apart from others is the is insistance on using only homemade stock in all bowls.

• MurasakiA quant and intimate izakaya. For those not familiar with the concept of an izakaya, this establishment serves as an excellent and Western-friendly point of introduction.

• Sanzoku

  phone: +81 827-82-3115
  address: Kugamachi 1380-1, Iwakuni
  Literally translating as "Mountain Family", this establishment features coal roasted chicken and meat dishes with gift shop and koi pond located on a sprawling outdoor arboreal setting.

• Taiwanya

  phone: +81 820-22-0776
  address: Nakano 447-1
  There is a long menu, but most regulars eat 'shiru-soba','shiru-bihun','yaki-soba'and 'yaki-bihun.' The restaurant is run by a man and his wife. Take-out available on request.

Mid-range

• Yanai Station Hotel

  phone: +81 820-22-2628
  address: Minamimachi 1-5-1

• Yanai City Hotel

  phone: +81 820-23-0111
  address: Minamimachi 3-2-8

• Yanai Park Hotel

  phone: +81 820-22-1175
  address: Minamimachi 1-4-2

• Yanai Grand Hotel

  phone: +81 820-23-0030
  address: Chūō 2-2-22

Splurge

• Yanai Cruise Hotel

  phone: +81 820-23-6000
  address: Minamimachi 4-1-1
  The largest hotel in town, with large "Western"-size rooms. It has a café that serves a standard breakfast set for an additional fee.

• Iwakuni - Famous for Kintaikyo (the Brocade Sash Bridge)
• Tokuyama
• Hirao - The Kaiten (kamikaze submarine) museum at the entrance of Hirao Bay