Leaving the profound historical weight of Nagasaki, the journey shifts, guided by the open horizons of the Ariake Sea. After stopping to admire the coastal iconography of the Floating Torii and the vibrant Inari Shrine, my focus turns to the destination itself. I confess a distinct affinity for cities where water defines the urban heart—places like the storied canals of Amsterdam. Yanagawa promises a uniquely Japanese, quieter iteration of this ideal.
But first, let me talk about the drive to our first stop : the Floating Torii at Ouo.
Yanagawa is 10% canal and its 470 km of canals were meant for transport, water reservoir and fortification of its castle.