Townscape of Sawara

The townscape of Sawara features rows of misegura (store built like warehouses with the walls covered in mud) and dozo (mud-walled warehouses) and fully exudes the traditional Edo atmosphere. Merchant houses showcase antique furniture and tools, boasting their taste and skills. They entertain visitors as the Sawara Machigurumi Museum (museum of the entire town of Sawara). This area is perfect for strolling around, with rows of restaurants that serve eel and soba noodles, shops that sell local products such as sake and tsukudani (food boiled in sweetened soy sauce) and Japanese general stores. In addition to grand festivals in summer and autumn, many other events are held seasonally. Katori Jingu Shrine and Suigo Sawara Ayame Park in the surrounding areas are also recommended.

Tadataka Ino, who made the first map of Japan based on surveying techniques during the Edo period (1603-1868), is from the Ino family, the old-established family of Sawara. The precise and beautiful map known as Ino-Zu (Ino map) is designated as a national treasure along with measuring tools and related materials he used to survey. The Inoh Tadataka Museum located along the Onogawa River showcases the Ino-Zu and measuring tools, and also introduces his great accomplishments. Across the river, the old residence of Tadataka Ino, which is designated as National Historic Site, is open to the public. In front of it are a loading place on the stone stairs, a remnant of the waterway transport and the traditional bridge. This is a popular photo spot.