Old Townscape of Kinoe (木江の古い町並み)

Flow of the course

About this spot

The Kinoe district, once a port of call for the Kitamaebune trading ships and a thriving center of the shipping industry, is still lined with wooden townhouses that vividly retain traces of that era. The narrow alley dotted with beckoning cat figurines, known as the Beckoning Cat Lane, is also a popular photogenic spot. The Kinoe Bon Dance, a folk performance handed down in this area, is known as a valuable piece of folk art conveying the Seto Inland Sea's maritime shipping culture, and simply walking through the district lets you feel the distinctive atmosphere of a port town.

Tips

About a 15-minute drive from Kanmineyama Observatory. Since there are many narrow alleys, comfortable walking shoes are recommended for strolling. Some streets have little shade in summer, so take breaks often.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour. The soft afternoon light lends the old townscape a particularly evocative atmosphere.

Access & map

〒725-0401 広島県豊田郡大崎上島町木江１５４−６