Takeda
Surrounded by mountains, Takeda is an area rich with nature, offering unique countryside townscapes with structures such as the Senko no Ie (Former Tsubokawa Residence), an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
About the Takeda Area
The Charms of Takeda, a Pastoral Part of Japan
Takeda can be reached in about 15 minutes by car from the Maruoka Interchange of the Hokuriku Expressway. It is the only part of Sakai City surrounded by the mountains, and thus has many scenic nature views on offer. Enjoy the vivid changes in the scenery of Takeda throughout the year, with weeping cherries in spring, irises in early summer, cosmos and autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in the winter. Takeda also has a lot of history associated with it, such as being home to Yoshitani Temple, the center of Mt. Haku worship for 1,300 years, and Senko no Ie, the oldest residence in the prefecture standing even after 400 years.
Revel in the Nature of Takeda
You can’t miss out on the spring cherry blossoms of Takeda! The locality has been putting a lot of effort into planting weeping cherry trees everywhere to turn Takeda into “a village with 1,000 cherry blossoms.” This effort seems to be paying off, and visitors have in recent years been able to spot these weeping cherry trees in nearly every corner of Takeda. Takekurabe Plaza in particular is a paradise for cherry blossom fans. Every year around mid-April, over 100 weeping cherry trees in the vicinity bloom, attracting around 70,000 visitors. The Takeda no Sato Weeping Cherry Festival takes place during the peak of the blooming period, during which the plaza is illuminated after sunset. You can also camp at the plaza, so why not take the opportunity to do so during this period to enjoy the weeping cherries even longer?
Seasonal Festivals in Takeda
The main festivals in Takeda are the summer Takeda Jonkoro and winter Dondo-yaki. An Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Sakai City, the Takeda Jonkoro is a Bon-odori style festival with taiko drums and songs where dancers put on a graceful performance, bowing low and twisting their bodies in unison to the calls of others. It’s a definite must-see! During the Dondo-yaki, a 5-meter-tall bamboo branch is decorated with wishes written on strips of paper and lit on fire. Participants applaud and welcome the coming of spring as the branch burns before their eyes.
Take Part in All Kinds of Outdoor Fun at Chikuchiku Bonbon
Kayaking, Winter Fun, and More Await!
Chikuchiku Bonbon offers 20-30 experiences where visitors can get up close and personal with the Takeda area. On top of outdoor activities and food experiences, we also have seasonal offerings, so no matter when you choose to visit, there’ll always be something new to enjoy.
We are based in a renovated former school where you can even spend the night. It’s an experience hardly found elsewhere, so we highly recommend it for those visiting with children. Surrounded by nature, it’s easy to forget the hustle and bustle of more busy areas and settle down in peace and quiet.
We hope for not just local Japanese visitors, but also for those from abroad to pay us a visit.
Shogo Daimon
Chief Manager of Chikuchiku Bonbon
Chikuchiku Bonbon
Take in Takeda’s Nature at Takeda Waterwheel Melody Park
A Takeda Landmark! Two of the Largest Water Wheels in the Hokuriku Region
Within Takeda Waterwheel Melody Park, you’ll find two of the largest water wheels in the Hokuriku region, with heights of 8 and 5 meters respectively.
The park also has a melodic chime composed by local high school students. The sound of the chime, together with the scenic surroundings, will surely soothe your soul.
Why not visit during your trip to take a break and take in the tranquility of Takeda, where Japan’s countryside charm still remains?
Takeda Waterwheel Melody Park
Buy Valuable Local Specialties at Takedaya
Also within the park is Takedaya, a store where you can purchase locally harvested agricultural products, including “midoriboshi zenmai,” a local specialty that’d make for a great souvenir. Known as “dried royal fern” in English, these ferns are incredibly soft from top to bottom and can be used in all sorts of dishes, whether they be stewed, fried, made into tempura, or so on. Takeda also has plenty of other gourmet specialties worth trying, such as the deep-fried tofu from Taniguchiya, which is incredibly aromatic and soft on the inside, as well as “Takedamaru soba,” which comes with round, smooth buckwheat noodles.
Don’t Miss Out on Seeing the Senko no Ie (Former Tsubokawa Residence), Fukui’s Oldest Home!
Senko no Ie, Boasting 400 Years of History
Built in the early Edo period, Senko no Ie is the oldest thatched-roof residence in Fukui Prefecture and a designated National Important Cultural Property. Inside the house, you’ll notice many features that have remained the same since it was built, such as marks of the axes used when making the pillars and beams.
The residence is incredibly large for the time period it was built in, measuring 14.5 meters in width and 10.3 meters in depth. Visitors can get an in-depth look at what the lifestyles of the powerful families back in the day must have been like.
Senko no Ie (Former Tsubokawa Residence)e
The Seasonal Highlights of the Senko no Ie
Next to the Senko no Ie, you’ll find an iris garden. Every year in June when these irises bloom, you can witness the spectacle of these flowers together with the old-time appearance of the house. Late October to November is when the fall foliage comes in, offering a completely different look from early summer. Please come and see the beauty of the surrounding nature in complete harmony with the historical residence.
Relax at Maruoka Onsen Takekurabe
Hot Spring Baths Filled 100% From the Source and Surrounded by Nature
Located on the banks of the Takeda River Valley, Maruoka Onsen Takekurabe is a hot spring inn that only uses water procured straight from the source. Its baths are perfect for people of all ages. With such rich nature surrounding it, it’s the perfect place to soak in a hot spring while admiring the seasonal scenery – cherry blossoms, new greenery, autumn foliage, and winter wonderlands. They offer day trip plans, so don’t hesitate to visit.
Their food menu consists of regional delicacies made with local ingredients, such as rice cultivated in Fukui Prefecture and mountain vegetables.
Maruoka Onsen Takekurabe
Camp at Takekurabe Plaza
Takekurabe Plaza is just a 3-minute walk from Maruoka Onsen Takekurabe. Here, you can freely camp amongst the surrounding nature. In spring when the weeping cherries come into bloom, you can admire the flowers while you camp. In summer, there’s nothing more refreshing than camping near the Takeda River, which flows nearby. Once you’ve had all your fun outdoors camping, head to Maruoka Onsen Takekurabe for a well-deserved soak.
