About 250 years ago, the lord of Chiran summoned craftsmen from Kyoto and instructed them to design a beautiful but strategically designed village. Thanks to craftsmen’s professional skills and residents’ great efforts for preservation, there are 7 residences still open to public, and they showcase the marvelous “old dry garden” style. We can enjoy walking around this marvelous village and learn how this village was tactically designed. We are also proud that this samurai village was designated as “Japan Heritage” in 2019 along with other villages in Kagoshima.

   However, don’t expect to encounter any samurai nor lady in kimono here. Here is not an amusement facility but the real place where we feel genuine atmosphere of samurai era.