[Shitara-cho] "Michi no Eki Shitara" A Facility Filled with the Charm of Shitara Town

On May 13, 2021, a new Michi no Eki (roadside station) opened in Shitara-cho!

The facility is full of Shitara-cho's attractions, including a wooden car exhibit of the abandoned Toyohashi Railroad Taguchi Line, a sake brewing experience facility, the Okumikawa Local History Museum, and the Seirei Market and Seirei Shokudo, which sell fresh vegetables and offer a menu full of local ingredients.

This time, we will introduce you to the many charms of "Michi no Eki Shitara."

What kind of place is Shitara-cho?

"Michi no Eki Shitara" is located in Shitara Town, Aichi Prefecture. It is a mountain town located in the northeastern part of Aichi Prefecture called Oku-mikawa.

The area is home to one of the most important Jomon era remains in the Tokai region, and many folk performing arts have been handed down through the ages, including the nationally-designated important intangible folk cultural assets, Dengaku and Hana Matsuri, as well as mountains selected as one of the 100 most famous mountains in Aichi Prefecture and the largest virgin forest in Aichi Prefecture. In this rich natural environment, a variety of flora and fauna can be found, and the original Japanese landscape can be seen everywhere.

Michi no Eki Shitara is where you can find gourmet food that can only be eaten here due to the history of Shitara Town.

“Communicate the life and heart of Okumikawa”
"Oku-Mikawa Folk Museum"

First, let's go to the Oku-mikawa Folk Museum.

Here, visitors can see the natural creatures of Shitara, the history of the land, people's lives and the beginning of society, history and folklore, and other themes based on the theme of "conveying the life and spirit of Oku-mikawa".

On the first floor, a farmer's residence is reproduced. Most of the tools on display were donated by the townspeople.

One of the highlights is the huge display of clay dolls. You can visit the first floor for free.

Next, let's go to the second floor to visit the paid exhibition room.

The museum exhibits materials on the themes of Shitara's nature and creatures, the origin of the land, the beginning of people's lives and society, historical picture scrolls, and folklore. More than 80,000 items from the museum's collection alone are on display, including tools used in Shitara Town, where forestry is thriving, and a diorama that recreates life in the olden days.

The exhibition room has an impressive design that uses plenty of wood.

Shitara-cho, where more than 90% of the area is covered with mountains and forests, has left a rich habitat for many animals. In order to convey the attraction of such wild animals, many stuffed animals and specimens of animals living in the rich mountains are on display.

In the exhibition on the theme of people's lives, based on the fictitious family "Shitara family", life in Shitara town is introduced according to the times.

Through a realistic diorama, changes in people's lives and the state of the town are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

Archeology, folk performing arts, materials on life during the war, etc. are full of highlights other than those introduced here! Please visit us.

◎Oku-Mikawa Folk Museum
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
(reception end: 16:30)
Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a public holiday, then the following day), year-end and New Year holidays

Exhibition of wooden train cars from the Toyohashi Railway Taguchi Line

Outside, actual wooden rolling stock from the Toyohashi Railway and Taguchi Line, which was discontinued in 1968, was on display.

It was actually running until 53 years ago, and is on display as a testament to the history of Oku-mikawa. It is also a nice point to be able to enter the car! The nostalgic atmosphere of those days remains.