In this tour, you will get a taste of sights from the Edo period (1603–1867) that still stand today and are mentioned in the diary of Kawai Koume, a painter who lived in a castle town
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Roughly 200 years ago, a painter named Kawai Koume lived in a castle town ruled by the Kishu Tokugawa family: One of the Gosanke, the 3 privileged branches of the ruling Tokugawa family. Koume is also known for keeping a diary recording her family life for more than 50 years, starting when she married at the age of 16. She is celebrated as a renowned local woman. While unraveling the threads of part of her diary in this tour, you will visit the practically unchanged sights that Koume saw and think of Koume, who lived peacefully despite the period of turbulent change in the mid to late 19th century. Visiting Koume's gravestone will also make you feel closer to her, further enriching this experience for learning about Japan's culture through its customs. We are sure that this series of experiences will resonate with you after your travel ends and you return to your everyday life. For lunch, we will show you to a tea room where you can enjoy tea time, drinking matcha beloved by her feudal lord, situated at a cafe overlooking the Kinokawa River, which is peaceful at times and fierce at others—as if symbolizing the changing of eras. Also, you will be treated to vegan dining and traditional treats that are delectable, elegant and good for you.
Photos
You will be guided by a former local reporter who will give you easy-to-follow explanations.
In November 2023, a book on Koume's life was published by a U.S. university professor, Simon Partner, who took an interest in how she lived.
This is an event held on October 23, 2023, celebrating the top 10 local women.
Koume's diary is also a picture book.
You will visit places that are unchanged from when Koume sees them in the picture book.
A delicious curry made with yakuzen soup at a vegan specialty cafe (example)
A work by Koume, who loved painting more than anything
Wakayama City Museum, which owns paintings by Koume
Enjoy tea time at a tea room in Wakayama Castle
These vessels with depictions of the seasons are part of the fun.
"Seiryu," a summer treat
Visiting Koume's gravestone will bring you closer to her and the period of intense change that she lived in.
Infomation
- Minimum Number of Passengers
- 1 person
- Maximum Capacity
- 3 participants
- Open Period
- Year-round
- Closed Period
- Mondays are the only days on which it is not held. Held year-round with no other holidays
- Tour Schedule
- Meet at 10:00 a.m. The tour ends around 5:00 p.m.
- Required Time
- Around 7 hours
- Provision of Meals
- Meals are provided
- Open to meal requests
- Vegetarian
- Universal accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Parking
- If you drive a private vehicle on the day of the tour, you can use a parking space at a parking lot near JR Wakayama Station for 800 yen/day at most. Chartering a small taxi for this tour costs 39,900 yen, which is included in the tour price.
- Notes
- Feel free to wear the footwear you prefer, as we will move around in a taxi.
- Related websites
- https://wakayama-kankou.jp/archives/3470/
This basic information is current at the time of publication and is subject to change.
Please check the official website for the latest information.
