Yoshii Tanuki Legends and the Village of Lucky Charms

A tanuki lucky charm passed down from old, and an ancient stone monument carved over 1,300 years ago - the Yoshii district of Takasaki City in Gunma is a village of deep charm where simple legend and precious history quietly live on. Home to the Tago Monument, one of Japan's Three Ancient Monuments, and to traces of history connecting to the Nara period, it lets you reflect on the flow of ages amid a peaceful rural landscape.

Tanuki Belief and Lucky Charms

The Yoshii district has long cherished a culture of lucky charms connected to the tanuki (raccoon dog). From a play on words meaning "to surpass others" (ta-o-nuku, tanuki), the tanuki has been popular since ancient times as a lucky charm for prosperous business and good fortune, and its endearing figure has been loved by people. The tanuki charms handed down in the area tell of the village's simple yet warm life and belief. Ceramic tanuki figures and the like are also cherished as souvenirs.

The Tago Monument, One of Japan's Three Ancient Monuments

The historical treasure that Yoshii is proud of is the Tago Monument. It is a stone monument erected in the Nara period, in the 4th year of Wado (711), to commemorate the new establishment of "Tago District," and it is counted as one of Japan's Three Ancient Monuments along with the Nasu Kokuzohi Monument in Tochigi and the Tagajo Monument in Miyagi. It is an extremely valuable record conveying ancient regional administration and writing culture, and its refined calligraphic style is renowned as a model for calligraphy. It is designated a Special National Historic Site. For preservation, the monument is enshrined inside a protective shelter.

The Tago Monument Memorial Hall

At the "Tago Monument Memorial Hall" beside the monument, you can learn in an easy-to-understand way about the monument's historical value, the meaning of its carved characters, and the state of the ancient Kozuke Province. Rubbings and related materials are exhibited, deepening understanding of ancient history. Ancient burial mounds are also dotted around, and you can enjoy a historical stroll amid the peaceful scenery. Viewing the actual monument together with the hall's exhibits lets you feel the breath of ancient times more closely.

Seasonal Fun

The fresh-green and autumn-foliage seasons are especially pleasant times for strolling the peaceful village. Spring adds color to the surrounding fields, and autumn makes touring historic sites comfortable in the clear air. Since it centers on outdoor strolling, choosing a fine-weather day lets you leisurely enjoy the ancient monument and the village scenery.

Access and Essentials

The gateway is "Yoshii Station" on the Joshin Dentetsu line. From the station, head to the Tago Monument and Memorial Hall by car or on foot. It is easy to reach by car from central Takasaki as well, and the "Yoshii IC" on the Joshin-etsu Expressway is available. As the Memorial Hall's hours, closed days, and fees may change, checking before visiting is reassuring.

Practical Travel Notes

• The Tago Monument is preserved inside a protective shelter. Viewing it together with the Memorial Hall helps you understand the monument's value and background well.
• The Memorial Hall has set closed days and opening hours. Check the latest information before visiting.
• Historic sites and burial mounds are outdoors with much walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Public transport may be infrequent. Using a car is convenient for touring efficiently.

A Word of Advice

Yoshii's charm is that two contrasting histories - the simple tanuki lucky charm and the Tago Monument surviving over 1,300 years - live on in the same village. Though not flashy, a moment spent reflecting on ancient times amid the peaceful fields is exceptional. Learning the background at the Memorial Hall before facing the actual monument makes the ancient story carved into each character rise up all the more vividly.

📚 Sources

The content here is organized from official tourism information on Takasaki City (Yoshii), public information on the Tago Stele and its memorial hall, and on-site signboards. The memorial hall's opening hours and closed days may change. Public transport may be infrequent. Because fees, hours, and access can change, please confirm with official sources before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: About an hour to view the Tago Stele and the memorial hall, or about a half day including nearby historic sites and tombs.
• What to bring: The historic sites and burial mounds are outdoors with much walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Suggested route: View the Tago Stele preserved inside its shelter, then learn its value and background at the Tago Stele Memorial Hall.
• Facility note: The memorial hall has set closed days and hours, so check the latest information before your visit.
• Transport note: Public transport may be infrequent, so using a car is handy for touring efficiently.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Opening hours: The Tagohi Memorial Museum is open 9:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
• Closing days: Mondays (when the Monday is a public holiday or a substitute holiday the museum opens and closes on the Tuesday instead), and the New Year period from December 28 to January 4
• Admission: To mark the inscription of the Kozuke Sanpi, the three ancient stone monuments of Kozuke, on the UNESCO Memory of the World register, admission is free of charge until March 31, 2027 (Reiwa 9). Normally it is 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for university students (160 yen for adults and 80 yen for university students in groups of 20 or more). High school students and younger and those aged 65 and over are admitted free of charge (show something confirming your age at the reception desk). Holders of a disability certificate and one accompanying carer are also admitted free of charge
• Address: 1085 Ike, Yoshii-machi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture 370-2107 (inside Yoshii Ishibumi no Sato Park), TEL 027-387-4928
• Access (by train and car): About 5 minutes by car or about 30 minutes on foot from Yoshii Station on the Joshin Electric Railway. About 15 minutes by car from Takasaki Station on the Joshin Electric Railway (JR Takasaki Station). About 7 minutes by car from the Yoshii IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway
• Access (free bus): A free Kozuke Sanpi Tour Bus starts from Yoshii Station on the Joshin Electric Railway and visits the three monuments (the Tago, Yamanoue and Kanaizawa steles). From June 1, 2026 its operating days changed to Thursday to Sunday and public holidays, and it does not run from Monday to Wednesday (it does run on public holidays) or from December 28 to January 4. Get off at Kozuke Sanpi Tagohi (the bus stop is on the southeast side of the Tago Monument historic site)
• Access (route bus): On the Yoshii Bus Higashiya-Nishiyoshii Line it is about 10 minutes from in front of Yoshii Station; get off at Tagohi Kinenkan-mae (the bus stop is at the entrance to Yoshii Ishibumi no Sato Park). The service runs every day except Sundays, public holidays and the New Year period (December 29 to January 3)
• What needs to be reserved: Group visits have to be scheduled around other groups, so always contact the Tagohi Memorial Museum in advance by telephone or otherwise
• Seasonal highlight: Oga lotus flowers bloom in Yoshii Ishibumi no Sato Park
• Safety notes: Touring the three monuments involves a good deal of walking, and the Yamanoue and Kanaizawa steles are reached by stone steps and slopes. Wear comfortable shoes, and in summer bring water and insect repellent

Note: For its preservation the Tago Monument is housed inside a protective shelter (ooiya), so it is viewed through glass.

Note: Public transport services are infrequent. The free bus runs only on set days of the week, so be sure to check the timetable and operating days on the official Takasaki City website before you set out.

(Sources: official Takasaki City website, Tagohi Memorial Museum Visitor Guide and other pages. As of July 2026)