Fukiya Furusato Village: Beautiful Bengal-Red Townscape of Copper Mine and Bengal Village

Reddish-brown lattice doors and namako plaster walls, and roofs of bengara-colored Sekishu tiles line up in a beautifully unified townscape. Fukiya in Takahashi City, Okayama is a mountain settlement that flourished from the Edo through Meiji periods on copper mining and bengara, a red pigment. Its distinctive scenery of continuous red streets looks as if time has stopped, and the traces of prosperity that supported Japan modern industry, together with a nostalgic atmosphere, captivate visitors.

Highlights

Fukiya is a small settlement in the mountains of northern Okayama Prefecture. From the Edo through Meiji periods it thrived greatly as a major production center of copper and of bengara, the red pigment made from a byproduct of copper. Bengara is a valuable pigment used for painting on ceramics, lacquerware, and the coating of shrines and temples, and Fukiya prospered as a nationwide production area. The copper mine is said to have employed many workers at its peak. Wealthy merchants built fortunes and let a distinctive culture bloom.

The greatest appeal is the beautiful townscape unified in bengara red. The scenery of reddish-brown Sekishu tile roofs and bengara-painted lattice doors and walls has a distinctive beauty seen nowhere else. The harmony born when wealthy merchants invested to unify the design of their houses is still preserved today. It is designated a National Important Traditional Buildings Preservation District, and in 2020 it was also certified as a Japan Heritage site for the story of nurturing Japan Red (bengara).

Bengara-kan, the Former Fukiya Elementary School, and the Hirokane Residence

Fukiya has Bengara-kan, which recreates the bengara manufacturing process so you can learn about the former industry. There are also facilities where you can try bengara dyeing and touch the culture unique to this red village. The Former Fukiya Elementary School, built in the Meiji period, is known as one of Japan oldest wooden school buildings and is a precious structure that remained in active use until 2012.

The wealthy merchant mansion the Hirokane Residence, on the edge of the settlement, is also a highlight. A grand, castle-like mansion rising atop stone walls, it is known as a filming location for the 1977 film The Village of Eight Gravestones (directed by Nomura Yoshitaro). The former copper mine site Sasaune Tunnel can be toured inside, letting you experience the history of the mine.

Seasonal Enjoyment

It can be enjoyed year-round, but for walking the town, the mild seasons of spring and autumn are recommended. The contrast of fresh greenery or autumn foliage with the bengara-red townscape is beautiful. The air in this mountain settlement is clear, and quiet time flows by.

Access and Basic Information

Access is about one hour by bus (Bihoku Bus) from Bitchu-Takahashi Station on the JR Hakubi Line, getting off at Fukiya. It is about an hour and a half by car from central Okayama. Because it is in the mountains, coming by car is also convenient. Opening hours and fees at each facility may change by season, so checking in advance is recommended.

Practical Travel Notes

• Buses are infrequent, so checking the timetable in advance is reassuring.
• Bengara-kan, the former elementary school, the Hirokane Residence, and Sasaune Tunnel are somewhat apart, so traveling by car is efficient.
• The settlement has slopes and stone pavement, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• The bengara dyeing experience may require a reservation depending on the facility.
• As it is a mountain area, prepare clothing for changes in weather and temperature.

A Word of Advice

Beyond strolling the red streets, extending your trip to the Hirokane Residence and Sasaune Tunnel gives a more three-dimensional sense of the history of Fukiya, which thrived on copper and bengara. Savor slowly this red village where time seems to have stopped.

📚 Sources

This article draws on tourism guidance from Takahashi City, published information on Fukiya Furusato Village, materials from the Agency for Cultural Affairs and Takahashi City on the preservation district for traditional buildings and the Japan Heritage Japan Red, guidance from facilities such as the Bengara Hall, the former Fukiya Elementary School, the Hirokane Residence, and the Sasaune Mine tunnel, and route information from Bihoku Bus. Descriptions of the copper mine and Bengara history and the Hirokane Residence filming location follow on-site guidance. Each facility hours and fees may change by season, so please confirm details on the official Takahashi City and facility sources before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Adding the Hirokane Residence and the Sasaune Mine tunnel to the red townscape stroll gives a fuller sense of Fukiya history in about half a day.
• Getting around: About one hour by Bihoku Bus from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station, getting off at Fukiya. The Bengara Hall, former school, Hirokane Residence, and mine tunnel are somewhat apart, so a car is efficient.
• What to bring: The village has slopes and stone pavement, so wear comfortable shoes, and dress for changing weather and temperature in the mountains.
• Booking and checks: Bengara dyeing experiences may require reservations at some facilities. Buses are infrequent, so check times in advance.
• Combine with: The location makes it easy to tour by car together with Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in the same Takahashi City.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Opening days and hours (Takahashi City Fukiya Tourism Association): 10:00-17:00 from April to November and 10:00-16:00 from December to March. From December to March the Local History Museum and the Bengara Museum open only on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and public holidays, and the Sasaune Mine Tunnel opens only on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays (advance reservation required). The former Katayama Family Residence, the Hirokane Residence and the former Fukiya Elementary School are open every day all year round. All facilities are closed over the New Year period from 29 December to 3 January.
• Admission: The former Katayama Family Residence is 500 yen (a combined ticket for two sites including the Local History Museum), the Local History Museum shares the ticket with the former Katayama Family Residence, the Hirokane Residence is 400 yen, the Sasaune Mine Tunnel is 400 yen, the Bengara Museum is 300 yen and the former Fukiya Elementary School is 500 yen.
• Combination ticket: The Fukiya Furusato Village Pass costs 1,000 yen (500 yen for children). If you enter three or more sites it works out cheaper than paying individually. It is sold at the counters of the tourist facilities.
• The Sasaune Mine Tunnel requires advance reservation: Because of renovation work at the entrance, admission has required advance reservation since 26 April 2025 and will do so for the time being (bookings accepted up to 3 days in advance / 0866-29-2811, Fukiya Branch of the Takahashi City Tourism Association). For safety, you must book either A: a Fukiya sightseeing guide (3,000 yen for 2 hours) or B: a guide for the Sasaune Mine Tunnel only (1,500 yen for 30 minutes) and enter together with the guide. Bookings are limited to groups of 10 or more, or to visitors who have booked a sightseeing guide (individuals accepted). The temperature inside the tunnel is around 15 degrees all year round.
• Parking: Ordinary cars use the Shimomachi Sightseeing Car Park (100 spaces) and tour coaches use the Senmai Car Park (5 bus spaces). Neither is staffed, so reservations are not possible. The former Fukiya Elementary School has no visitor car park, and as the streets through the historic townscape are narrow, drivers are asked to refrain from driving along them. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are provided at each car park near the toilets and in front of the west wing of the former Fukiya Elementary School, 2 spaces in each location (advance reservation is advisable for the spaces in front of the former Fukiya Elementary School).
• Local buses: The journey from JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station (Takahashi Bus Center) to Fukiya takes 58 minutes. As services are very infrequent, the officially recommended combination for sightseeing is to travel out on the 10:55 departure from Takahashi, arriving in Fukiya at 11:53, and to return on the 15:42 departure from Fukiya, arriving in Takahashi at 16:40 (about 4 hours in Fukiya).
• Bengara pottery experience: At the Fukiya Furusato Village Bengara Pottery Hall you can try pottery making and painting (from 1,000 yen, with box and shipping charged separately). Viewing is free of charge. It is open on Tuesdays and Sundays from March to December, 10:00 to 18:00 (and at other times when there is a reservation).

Note: The local bus fare is not published on the official pages of the Takahashi City Fukiya Tourism Association. Note: The date on which the advance reservation requirement for the Sasaune Mine Tunnel will end is stated only as for the time being and has not been published. (Sources: official website of the Takahashi City Fukiya Tourism Association, pages 1. Tourist Facilities, Parking Information and Local Bus Timetable)