The City Had Some Glorious Days
Joge is a small town in Hiroshima. In feudal times, the “Ginzan Kaido”, Silver Road, passed through it. This road served as a path for transporting silver between the Iwami Ginzan mines and the port of Kasaoka. Nowadays, many vestiges of this glorious past remain in Joge. The memories of the towns prosperous days exist in the buildings, streets, and people’s minds.The main street, lined with white-walled houses, seems to prepare visitors for a trip back in time. Joge is a wonderful destination to enjoy daily life in the Japanese countryside.
The surroundings of the city are also beautiful, perfect for a drive. You can go through the rice fields or have lunch in the middle of the mountains with the sound of a stream nearby as your only distraction. By staying at Joge, one can reconnect with yourself while enjoying the tranquillity of the Japanese countryside.
Today, Joge looks like a small dot on the map. But the city had some glorious days. It is said that in the 16th century, the Iwami Ginzan mines produced nearly a third of the world’s silver. Silver was transported on the Ginzan Kaido to Kasaoka Port as well as to Kyoto and Osaka. From the 17th to the 19th century, an administrative office of the Iwami Ginzan mine opened in the town of Joge. As a stopover town on the Silver Route, the town became quite prosperous until the Meiji era.
The memories of those who lived through the tomultuous transition from the Edo to Meiji periods lingers, along with magnificent traditions, culture and character. Carefully preserved over generations, the peaceful and historical townscape is tucked away, embraced by the Bingo mountains. A one or two day excursion from Hiroshima, Kyoto, or Osaka, will allow you to relax in a small town with a rich history and delicious delicacies.
The surroundings of the city are also beautiful, perfect for a drive. You can go through the rice fields or have lunch in the middle of the mountains with the sound of a stream nearby as your only distraction. By staying at Joge, one can reconnect with yourself while enjoying the tranquillity of the Japanese countryside.
Today, Joge looks like a small dot on the map. But the city had some glorious days. It is said that in the 16th century, the Iwami Ginzan mines produced nearly a third of the world’s silver. Silver was transported on the Ginzan Kaido to Kasaoka Port as well as to Kyoto and Osaka. From the 17th to the 19th century, an administrative office of the Iwami Ginzan mine opened in the town of Joge. As a stopover town on the Silver Route, the town became quite prosperous until the Meiji era.
The memories of those who lived through the tomultuous transition from the Edo to Meiji periods lingers, along with magnificent traditions, culture and character. Carefully preserved over generations, the peaceful and historical townscape is tucked away, embraced by the Bingo mountains. A one or two day excursion from Hiroshima, Kyoto, or Osaka, will allow you to relax in a small town with a rich history and delicious delicacies.
