About ‘Oiso Town’
Facts:
The town of Oiso is located in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. Oiso is surrounded
by beautiful countryside and the south coast is facing the Pacific Ocean.
Oiso has a population of approximately thirty three thousand people, and
the area is about seventeen square kilometers.
Feature:
 Oiso is known not only for its beautiful nature but also as a traditionally
and historically important place in Japan. When Kanagawa prefecture was
known as Sagami in the 14th century, its capital city was Kamakura. However,
long before Kamakura became the capital city, the center of Sagami had
once been Oiso.
That was the start of Oiso’s growth and prosperity.
Oiso has another reason to be considered as a town with a long history.
Between the Meiji era and the Showa era, a lot of famous and renowned people,
such as the then-Prime Minister of Japan and well-known novelists, lived
in Oiso. Oiso’s historical and relaxing atmosphere has always been loved
by many people.
Now Oiso and its neighboring area is called ‘Shonan,’ which gives people
from all over Japan the image of ‘the bright coast with a lot of sunlight.’
Oiso has been attracting people who seek a heart-warming and relaxing escape
from big cities.
Sightseeing:
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‘Shigitatsuan’ is a house where people write ‘haiku’ in a calm atmosphere.
Haiku is known as the shortest style of poetry in the world.
There are three famous haiku houses in Japan and Shigitatsuan is one of
them.
A famous ‘haiku’ master, Saigyou-houshi, once spent some time at Shigitatsuan
and wrote haiku there. Today Saigyou Haiku Festival is held at Shigitatsuan
in spring. |
| ‘The House of Shimazaki Toson,’ which was named after a famous novelist
in Japan who lived from 1872 to 1943 and spent his late years in Oiso,
has maintained its traditional Japanese style until today. The building
was renovated to reflect its original style and structure. |
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‘Tokaido Pine Street’ runs parallel to route one, which was the first national
highway to ever be built in Japan, connecting Tokyo and Kyoto during the
Edo period.
In the Edo period, a lot of small inns for travelers called ‘syuku’ were
built along Tokaido Pine Street.
Today Tokaido Pine Street is recognized as an important historical site
where people can take in the feeling of the ancient travelers’ path. |
There is a lot to see and experience in Oiso! Come and find out!!
Contuct us
If you have any further questions, please contact us via email at:
info@town.osio.kanagawa.jp
Oiso Town Hall
183 Higashi Koiso,
Oiso, Kanagawa 255-8555
Japan
Tel: 0463 61 4100
Fax: 0463 61 1991 |
