Fukui] Kumagawa-juku, the road that brought the bounty of the Wakasa Sea to Kyoto

  • Fukui
  • Sightseeing

What is Kumagawa-juku?

Kumagawa-juku, located in the town of Wakasa in Fukui Prefecture, is a post town that developed as a trading center between Wakasa and Kyoto. Wakasa was a miketsukuni (land of food) that delivered the bounty of the mountains and sea to Kyoto, and also prospered through trade with the continent from ancient times. Even today, the remains of the magistrate's office, guard house, and storehouse still remain, and traditional irrigation canals run along the streets full of emotion.

What is Saba Kaido?

During the Edo period (1603-1867), the road that transported seafood to Kyoto came to be known as the "saba kaido" (mackerel road), as the waters of Wakasa began to produce a large number of mackerel. Of the many saba kaido routes, the most actively used was said to be the Wakasa kaido, which ran from Obama via Kumagawa to Demachi Yanagi in Kyoto via Kutsuki in Shiga Prefecture, and Kumagawa-juku was an important stop along the way. Kumagawa-juku is said to have been used by many travelers to rest their bodies. (*"Saba" officially means "mackerel" in Japanese, and "sei" means "green" in Japanese.)
Saba Sushi, a specialty of Kumagawa-juku
Photo courtesy of Marushin, Kumagawa-juku
Grilled Saba Sushi, a specialty of Kumagawa-juku
Photo courtesy of Marushin, Kumagawa-juku

Learn about the history of the Saba Kaido Road and go for a stroll! Wakasa Saba-kaido Kumagawa-juku Museum Shukubakan

Walking around Kumagawa-juku, you will see retro and modern Western-style buildings. This building was originally used as the Kumagawa Village Office and is now used as the "Wakasa Saba Kaido Kumagawa-juku Museum Shukubakan. It is interesting to first learn about the history of the Saba Kaido and Kumagawa-juku and then take a walk around the area.
Wakasa Saba-kaido Kumagawa-juku Museum Shukubakan Exterior

A 100-year-old warehouse! Renovated from an old private house and turned into a stylish café!

In recent years, people attracted by the scenery and lifestyle of Kumagawa-juku have opened cafes and inns in renovated old private homes, attracting attention as tourist spots. In this article, we will introduce some of the cafes we actually visited!

irodori Labo.

A café in a 100-year-old warehouse structure in Kumagawa-juku. This is a shared café, so different stores open a café or hold events depending on the day. The day we visited was the day that "irodori Labo." was open.
Exterior view

Take a break with an original drink!

In addition to the standard coffee, café au lait, and tea menu, they also offer local drinks such as Fuku-ime cider, Fuku-isumo cider, and Wakasa honey milk tea.
Fukuisumo Cider
The renovated store, gently lit by lamps, is a perfect place to take a break during a stroll and enjoy a relaxing moment.
The store has a nice atmosphere.
Sundries and other goods are also available for sale.
You can check in advance which stores will be open that day on irodori Labo.'s Instagram account. (There are also days when none of the stores are open, so be sure to check in advance!)
Click here for the irodori Labo. Instagram account!
Click here for the website of "Wakasa Saba Kaido Kumagawa-juku"!
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