Tsuwano 津和野

Castle town in today’s Shimane prefecture with a population of about 6,000, lies between the cities of Yamaguchi and Hagi. Surrounded by mountain ranges, the town is still characterised by an Edo period atmosphere, two Catholic churches, a stately ruin of Tsuwano-jô castle high up in the mountains and the birthplace of the writer and doctor MORI Ôgai. Taikodani Inari Shrine, built in 1773, is considered as one of the five most important shrines to the food deity Inari in Japan.