Why have the treasures of Wakasa survived?

Wakasa is overflowing with national treasures and important cultural heritage sites, but why would they be in this small countryside town? This area was once called Onyu and was known as the city that supplied the salt and fish that served as the backbone of the cuisine culture of the capital. Due to these deep ties with the capital, the culture of the capital city also influenced this small town.

Most of the cultural sites are Temples or Buddhist statues, but on this trip, we want to focus our attention on the stories buried beneath these spaces. Revolutionary stories that trace their roots back to the origin of Japan. The people who lived here, despite having their own religion, were introduced to Buddhism by way of the capital. Rather than forgetting their old beliefs, the two religions came together to become something completely new. This revolutionary moment is preserved in Wakasa to this day.

These myths, which are still told today, were created as a way for authorities at the time to explain their reasoning for founding a nation, and symbolize the way things came to be. By analyzing and breaking down these myths, we might be able to better understand the history behind them. The truth behind the stories we’re about to tell you are not recorded in any history books. We want you to become a historian and create your own version of the past.

By the end of this trip, we hope you can start to grasp what really lies at the core of Wakasa. The real treasure may be the stories that cannot be seen but come to light by revisiting the Wakasa of days gone past.

※We ask that you listen to guide spots 1-4 in numerical order. After that, you may listen to the remaining spots in any order you wish.