I wonder how to read this kanji of city name as Kitsuki. It is composed of the kanji characters for pestle, which is used to knead rice cakes, and construction, so it seems to be auspicious. Even more auspicious, this kanji is also used as part of the address of Izumo Taisha Shrine where The god of nation building is enshrined. There is a theory that the place name originated from a typo on a red seal letter (a document guaranteeing territory) given to feudal lords by the shogunate, but is this true?
Kitsuki is also said to be one of the Little Kyotos, but what exactly is a Little Kyoto? There is an organization called All Japan Kyoto Committee, which all cities across Japan that are considered Little Kyotos join, and the three requirements for membership are that a city have a landscape similar to Kyoto, historical ties, and traditional industries and performing arts. Onomichi City is also a member, but what is missing in Takehara City(*), which calls itself Little Kyoto and is close to Onomichi? Or is the membership fee too high? Or is Onomichi opposed to joining? I wonder if there are various adult reasons for a city like this to join. It seems like it’s very difficult for new members to join either the EU or NATO.
(*)After looking into it more closely, I found that Takehara City was a member but withdrew on its own, and Onomichi City has now also withdrawn. Is the name value of Little Kyoto no longer effective? This may be due to the diversification of tourism appeal.
Anyway, it seems like it’s popular to take photos on the slopes in kimono. There are a lot of kimono rental shops. It’s a quiet and nice town. The castle town of Kitsuki is made up of samurai residences built on two plateaus running east to west, and merchant houses on the lowlands surrounded by these plateaus. That’s why there are slopes everywhere. When you go up to one plateau, the other slopes seem to be right in front of you, so it makes a great picture. If you walk along the southern plateau to the eastern end, you will see Kitsuki Castle as if it is floating on the sea. This is also worth seeing.
