What to know
Fukiya (吹屋) is a remote rural district in the hills of Takahashi City, about 15 kilometers west of the city center, featuring a picturesque preserved town. The town grew and flourished around a copper mine and also produced bengara pigment from red iron oxide. Its prosperity faded after the copper mine closed and demand for bengara declined by the 1920s.
Bengara is still visible on many houses in the district, used for decoration and to protect wood from water and fire. It was also used for dyeing clothes, paintings, and waterproofing ships. Below are the main attractions in Fukiya today. A combination ticket for 1000 yen grants entry to all attractions.
Three buses per day connect Bitchu-Takahashi Station to Fukiya Village (60 minutes, 800 yen one way). The mines and bengara museum are about one kilometer or a 20-minute walk south of the village, but the Hirokane residence is about four kilometers away. Therefore, a rental car is recommended for exploring the Fukiya District. Rental car outlets are available in Okayama, a 90-minute drive away.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Varies by shop; typically 9:00 to 17:00
- Closed
- Varies by shop
- Admission
- 500 yen (~$3.2) (includes entry to the Fukiya Historical Museum)
- English name
- Original name
- Fukiya Village
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.