Kitsuki Samurai Town

Known as Japan's only 'sandwich castle town,' Kitsuki places two samurai districts on parallel hilltops with a merchant quarter squeezed in the valley between. The Kitsuki-han Samurai Residence Garde preserves Edo-era homes with manicured gardens open to visitors. Kimono rental shops encourage strolling the cobblestone slopes in period dress, participants receive discounts at local attractions.