Izushi is a town within the city of Toyooka just inland of the Japan Sea coast. It’s known for its nostalgic atmosphere of an Edo period castle town. The town has several attractions, including the castle ruins, samurai house Karoyashiki, and Eirakukan kabuki theatre, as well as crafts such as the elegant Izushi-yaki porcelain and Yanagi-gori basketry using willow.

Izushi Castle Ruins
Name in Japanese: 出石城痕
Pronunciation: eezooshee-jō a-to

The castle was originally located on Mt. Ariko, but in 1604 it was moved to the base of the mountain. Today only the impressive stone walls remain, but some of the superstructure was rebuilt in 1968, restoring the appearance of a ‘proper’ castle. You can hike up to the stone walls of the original castle on the mountaintop.

Shinkorō clock tower
Name in Japanese: 辰鼓楼
Pronunciation: shin-ko-rō

The iconic Shinkoro clock tower, built in the Meiji period, was formerly part of the gate system into the castle. Today it has only a small moat filled with carp. A drum in the tower was beaten to indicate the start of the working day.

Eiraku-kan kabuki theatre
Name in Japanese: 永楽館
Pronunciation: ei-ra-ku-kan

The Eiraku-kan, built in 1901, is one of the oldest Kabuki theatres in Japan. The theatre is still used occasionally for authentic kabuki performances. When there are no shows, you can explore the areas behind and under the stage that are used for executing the special effects typical of kabuki.

Eiraku-kan kabuki theatre
Name in Japanese: 宗鏡寺
Pronunciation: soo-kyo-jee

Sukyo-ji Temple was built in 1392 as the family temple where the ruling family of Izushi Castle worshipped. Here the Zeb Buddhist monk Takuan Sōhō invented the pungent pickled daikon radish named after him. He also instructed the great swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.

Izushi ware
Name in Japanese: 出石焼
Pronunciation: ee-zoo-shee ya-kee

Izushi ware is white porcelain. This porcelain if of an unusually pure white which is derives from the Kakitani porcelain stone. At the 1904 World Expo, Izushi ware gained international recognition after receiving a gold medal. Today, there are four potteries in Izushi producing this elegant product.

Yanagi-gori
Name in Japanese: 柳行李
Pronunciation: ya-na-gee-gō-ree

Yanagi-gori is handwoven wickerwork using willow that grows in the Toyooka area. This sturdy and supple material is used to produce elegant and durable everyday items. Woven baskets were an important product when Toyooka was a growing castle town, and bags from the town became popular in the Edo period. When Japan opened to the outside world, the craftsmen began making wickerwork suitcases.