Sasayama is a city filled with history. From its iconic castles to the many museums that occupy the area there’s never a shortage of things to see, do, and learn here. The best way to uncover it all is by going museum hopping throughout the town. Here’s an easy guide to some of the best places you shouldn’t miss on your trip back through time to Sasayama.
-
01
Sasayama Historical Art Museum
![Sasayama Historical Art Museum]()
Sasayama Historical Art Museum
The Sasayama Historical Art Museum, is one of the best places to start your journey. Housed in one of the most impressive buildings in the area, the museum was once a courthouse. In fact up until 1981 it was Japan’s oldest wooden courthouse still in use, recognized as a registered Cultural Asset of the city in 1982.
The interior of the building is rather striking as the creators of the museum have managed to maintain the simplicity of the courthouse design. Today guests can take part in a mock trial in front of a judge while fully dressed up in Meiji era (1868-1912) period costumes. Some of the most impressive items exhibited here include artifacts that were excavated from Sasayama City’s historical grave mounds. The items unearthed are estimated to date back to the Kamakura period (1185–1333). The museum is open every day except Monday and admission is 300 yen. -
02
Anma Family Historical Museum
![Anma Family Historical Museum]()
Anma Family Historical Museum
Another site worth exploring during your museum tour is the Anma Family Historical Museum. In a previous life this museum was a samurai house, known as buke yashiki. The house’s original architecture has been carefully maintained and is now a museum housing a number of ancient texts, homewares, furniture, classic Chinese printing blocks, and historical records related to the Sasayama feudal clan.
![Anma Family Historical Museum]()
Anma Family Historical Museum
This historical museum is very much representative of what samurai houses in the area looked like at the time of its construction during Edo period Japan (1603 – 1868). Go inside to get up close and inspect the furniture and cooking utensils that were used by the samurai families during this period. It's truly a trip back in time. It’s also open every day except Monday with entry setting you back 200 yen.
-
03
Aoyama Clan Museum
![Aoyama Clan Museum]()
Aoyama Clan Museum
It’s now time to see how the other half lived at the Aoyama Clan Museum located in the Aoyama Historical Village. The Aoyama clan held power over the Sasayama Castle for a massive 123 years during the Edo period, beginning in 1748 and continuing until the castle was torn down in 1871. Here you can learn all about the history of the area during this time and explore a number of other exhibits including wooden printing blocks used in publishing Chinese texts and a rare copy of Nezumi no Soshi which is a piece of Buddhist literature about a monk's encounter with a mouse.
![Aoyama Clan Museum]()
Aoyama Clan Museum
- Sasayama Historical Art Museum
-
![rating]()
4.0
26 Reviews -
-
- Hyogo Prefecture Tamba Kashiyama-Cho 53
-
-
-
- 0795520601
-
-
-
- 9:00-17:00(Last entry16:30)
-
View All
- Anma Family Samurai Residence and History Museum
-
![rating]()
3.5
23 Reviews -
-
- Hyogo Tamba-Sasayama-shi Nishishinmachi 95
-
-
-
- 0795526933
-
-
-
- 9:00-17:00(Last entry16:30)
-
View All
NIPPONIA Sasayama Castle Town Hotel
Nishimachi Kawaramachi, Sasayama Hyogo
- Aoyama Historical Village
-
![rating]()
3.5
23 Reviews -
-
- Hyogo Tamba-Sasayama-shi Kitashinmachi 48
-
-
-
- 0795520056
-
-
-
- 9:00-17:00(Last entry16:30)
-
View All
- Sasayama Castle Ruins
-
![rating]()
4.0
138 Reviews -
-
- Hyougo Pref. Sasayamashi Kitashinmachi 2-3
-
-
-
- 0795524500
-
-
-
- 9:00-17:00(Last entry16:30)
-
View All
Go here
