Okuizumo Area
Great place to visit
Swords & Steel
Adventure Tour
Unnan Area
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SUGAYA TATARA SANNAI
EXJ MOVIE SITE
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The tatara iron making method is a traditional process for smelting iron that has been handed down through the generations. Sand iron is fed into a special clay furnace (a tatara) heated to 1500° C, to produce clumps of pig-iron and steel. Even now, steel produced using the tatara method is considered the best in the world. Producing swords and knives from steel using this method is called forging, which consists of repeatedly heating, folding and striking the metal to hammer out impurities. This traditional Japanese technique developed together with the tatara furnaces. World-famous samurai swords are also made with steel created using the tatara method.
TATARA KAJI KOBO
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The tatara iron making method is a traditional process for smelting iron that has been handed down through the generations. World-famous samurai swords are forged with steel created using the tatara method. To make a sword, first the steel is heated to 1300 degrees Celsius and then pounded by a variety of hammers. This process is repeated, and the the steel is folded over and over like pastry dough 10-15 times. By the time the blade is finished, it will have over 300 layers, creating a sword which is both flexible, sharp, and strong.
OKUIZUMO YUMURA ONSEN
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Okuizumo Yumura hot spring is located in the middle of the Hii River, surrounded by the mountains of Okuizumo, offering a rural atmosphere. Many writers and artists have visited this region. Enjoy offerings of nature throughout the seasons: from the sounds of trickling stream and cherry blossoms in the spring, frogs and fireflies in the summer, foliage in the fall, and the snowscape in the winter.
Many visitors gather at the Hii River to fish for sweetfish (ayu), and they can also be enjoyed here.