Yuki City: A calm beauty and a rich culture

Not many people have heard about Yuki City, a small town located in the Ibaraki prefecture about two hours from Tokyo. While the bright lights and the Tokyo epic crowd might be exciting, what you can find in the city of Yuki is not like elsewhere. Lying below the surface of this simple city centuries of history and culture, with many industries that develop from the abundance of pure natural resources provided by the land. Take for example, Silk Yuki. Yuki is one of the most famous places to get luxury silk in Japan, which is then used to make elegant kimono and other high -class products. This is only because of the stretch of Mulberry Yuki tree; Silk worms eat leaves that allow silk production and Yuki’s textile industry to develop as it is happening now.

Yuki, as a city, has survived in time trials. Some of the shops that you will see on the main roads aged 6 or 7 are extraordinary generations, deployed in the family. For fans of history, you might recognize the name Yuki Hideyasu, the second son of the famous Tokugawa Shogun Ieyasu. He was given to the Yuki clan who ruled the area. You can find out more in Kurabikan Yuki, where Yuki’s artifacts and historical artifacts are displayed.

Yuki-tsumugi: an irreplaceable form of art

The techniques used to make Yuki-Tsumugi’s silk dating back to the Nara period (710-794 AD), but in the Muromachi era (1336-1573 AD), Yuki-Tsumugi became what it is today. It becomes famous as the best quality silk fabric that can be obtained, and quickly spread throughout the country.

Yuki-Tsumugi’s silk is made with more than thirty steps, but there are three that are mentioned as the most important.

• The first is to spin the hand from the thread of the caterpillar cocoon. The fibers are softly mocked by craftsmen and bent, with the help of water or even saliva in some cases, becoming thin but strong thread.
• The next step is to bind and dying of the utas, with the part that is tied to work to preserve the original color of the utas to produce a complex pattern in the utas itself.
• Lastly is weaving all the utas to form a cohesive cloth. This is done with a special loom, called Jibata, which has a backpiece that allows users to control things like vertical tension with their own body movements.

These three processes are designated as intangible cultural property in Japan and produce high -quality fabrics that can last for three generations. This dedication is for the quality and use of traditional techniques that lead to a single kimono that takes up to 1 or 2 years to make it! Kimonos not everything is produced here. Lebits, fans, and wallets are also a great product from Yuki! You can even buy all suits made of Yuki-Tsumugi silk! This is an ideal gift for loved ones, or even for those who want to treat themselves with quality and durable parts.

We have to experience Yuki-Tsumugi’s silk in all different forms. For one, we feel happy wearing a kimono made of Yuki-Tsumugi silk. With all different patterns and colors, everyone looks beautiful. However, Yuki-Tsumugi’s silk has a special property to maintain body heat better than other fabrics, so pay attention that winter may be a better time to try Yuki-tsumugi’s kimono if you want to do it. In the workshop itself, we have to weave our own souvenir coaster on a loom. Although the loom operated with this foot is different from the Jibata loom, it is very fun to learn how to operate it. Making a coaster is also easy and fast! Even for beginners, it only takes a few minutes to learn steps and then about 10 minutes to make the coaster itself. Another experience includes making a coin wallet (cute and practical souvenir) and trying to twist the thread from the cocoon silk (more difficult than you think!)

Buyu Sake Brewery: All About Nihonshu

For those who are not accustomed to nihonshu, this is a type of Japanese alcohol made by fermenting rice. There are six different types, classified based on such factors whether the distilled alcohol is added or not, or the ratio of rice-to-police. Buyu Sake Brewery has been around since 1867, and you better bet them is the master of their crafts. They use a three -season beer making system to monitor the fermentation process and ensure the highest quality NIHONSHU.

We tasted Nihonshu Buyu Brewery for ourselves, and that is as good as what we expect. Cold and refreshing, it makes delicious drinks in the middle of the hot summer. For those who don’t drink alcohol, don’t worry! You can also try their amazake, which is another drink made from fermented rice but does not contain alcohol. Relying on the natural sweet taste of rice, Amazake is also delicious.

Akiba Koji Miso Brewery: Towering Barels of Miso

At the end of the road from Buyu, you will find a place to make Akiba Koji Miso beer. As the name suggests, they specialize in making miso. The process starts by taking soybeans and soaking it, then boiling it. Steamed rice and koji, a type of mold used to facilitate fermentation, added to soybeans, and they are left alone at room temperature to be fermented. The largest barrel in the place of making beer can hold up to 8 tons and take up to 2-3 years to fully ferment.

Buyu Sake Brewery and Akiba Koji Miso Brewery use the pure water of the Kinugawa River to make each of their products. The water is also used in the nearest turtle: sauna, so don’t forget to bring your swimsuits and take the time to relax and take/take a shower in the Yuki atmosphere.

Kokenji Temple: find yourself

Stepping into the main hall of Kokenji, you will find your breath taken by all amazing decorative decorations around you. The complicated gold and lantern decoration above gives a sense of waste, while complicated wood carvings will make you stare in admiration.

Our meditation experience for ten minutes was held in the right meditation room and was an urgent rest from summer heat. Ten minutes gave us the opportunity to break ourselves and make us feel ready to face the rest of the day! We were also offered Umeboshi in sugar water, allegedly helping to provide energy to ourselves, and manjuu.

Seasonal Event: Side of various Yuki cities

There has never been any wrong time to visit Yuki City! The city held several different events throughout the year from the visit of the New Year temple to the summer festival. Even if you can’t catch one of them, Yuki’s seasonal views should not be missed; There are several types of flowers that you can catch in various parks and Yuki roads throughout the year.

Where do you stay?

Our accommodation puts us in an amazing hotel (ten). This combines Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort. The bedroom is a beautiful traditional Japanese -style room with Tatami and Futon mats, while the first floor has an impressive kitchen and several different places to relax. With a beautiful front yard included, this is the perfect place to relax and spend a peaceful night.

What to eat?

For breakfast, we have a beautiful plate from various Japanese dishes in Yuinowa, a cafe and joint workspace. This menu really uses local and seasonal ingredients Yuki, and it tastes amazing. This is something that you can only get in the city of Yuki and a definite recommendation from us.

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How to get to the city of Yuki?

If you are in Tokyo, depending on where you are, you can take Tohoku Shinkansen, JR Utsunomiya Line, or JR Shonan Shinjuku Line to get to Oyama Station. From there, just take JR Mito Line directly to Yuki Station.

Yuki’s heart

No matter what takes you to Yuki City, the atmosphere and people will surely win you. Everyone we met was very good and welcomed us. You can really feel the desire and love for this small town that overflows from everyone who lives here. Yuki City is a hidden gem in Japan and an unforgettable experience.