Our goal is to bridge Utazu’s past with its present and to broadly promote its new attractions.
The people who have gathered with such a shared vision are members active in the “Co-machi” area around the estuary of the Daisoku River, which flows through the town. Business owners, including those running inns and restaurants, have come together to establish the Council for Connecting Past to Present which is working to promote the various attractions of the town.
Utazu Co-machi refers to the area around the estuary of the Daisoku River, which flows north to south through Utazu Town in Ayauta District, Kagawa Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea. This place, once a hub of frequent movement of people and goods and a gathering point for culture, still has rows of traditional townhouses standing today. A few Western-style buildings, blending Japanese and Western architectural elements from the Showa era, remain, allowing visitors to experience a nostalgic atmosphere.
As it is called “One Shrine, Nine Temples(一社九カ寺),” this small town is home to many historic shrines and temples. Along the main road that runs through the town, you will find Goshoji Temple, the 78th temple of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. While the town enjoys an open connection to the sea, the temples, shrines, and Mt. Aonoyama embrace the town, offering its residents a deep sense of security and peace.
The ema housed in Ubushina Shrine in Utazu Town depicts the prosperity of the town as a port town since the Edo period. This ema is a prayer for the safety of those who work with the sea, the prosperity of descendants, and the prolongation of life. It also shows the importance of rivers, alongside land routes, in the town’s development. You can sense the history of the town, which has thrived alongside the people who have come and gone.
| Agricultural Cooperative Corporation Utazu Ancient Rice Association
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Yushin Shuzo Co., Ltd.  |
| In 2006, to make effective use of the fallow land south of Co-machi, we began producing ancient rice. Over the years, we have experimented and refined our methods to ensure the ancient rice beautifully ripens as the summer temperatures rise each year. Currently, the cultivated area has expanded to three hectares, and in 2020, we incorporated our association as an agricultural corporation. While gazing at Mt. Iinoyama every day, we are looking for new members to join us in the pursuit of growing delicious rice. | It was founded in 1854 (the first year of the Ansei era) as the only sake brewery in Utazu Town. Using our unique fermentation techniques, the company not only produces sake but also develops and manufactures functional ingredients such as “Rice Power Extract,” which is used in cosmetics and other products. By harnessing the blessings of nature through rice and microorganisms, we aim to continue contributing to the local community through our craftsmanship. |
| Ryotei Koraku
Akihiro Yonezaki, Master of the house / Kazuyo Yonezaki, Lady of the house |
Ryotei Sumikuma
Hiroyoshi Sumino, Master of the house / Kimie Sumino, Lady of the house |
| We have been running the ryotei “Koraku” in a sukiya-style building over one hundred years old, found by the Daisoku River, since shortly after the end of World War II. The view from Mt. Aonoyama, stretching all the way to the Seto Inland Sea, is beautiful, and the sound of the nearby temple bell ringing at the same time every morning and evening adds to the charm. We hope to revive the once-thriving local interactions in a way that fits with the present times. | Founded as a ‘charcoal shop’ in the early Meiji period in the heart of Co-machi, we moved to our current location facing the Daisoku River in 1941 and have continued to preserve both the taste and tradition of our ryotei. We cherish the concept of “ichigo ichie” (a once-in-a-lifetime encounter), welcoming guests with attentive service and carefully prepared dishes. We are committed to delivering consistent, unchanging quality every day. Please visit Utazu, where you can feel the long history, much like the flow of the river. |
| Arpeggio Co., Ltd.
Yoshiyuki Imura |
Chiiori Alliance Co., Ltd.
Toru Muramatsu / Yukie Tamai |
| We run daycare centers and after-school clubs in both Kagawa and Tokyo. We oversee a walking experience program in Utazu to revitalize the town, sharing its diverse attractions with visitors and encouraging locals to focus on health and make new friends through the initiative. We will continue to promote the charm of Co-machi while valuing the bonds between people. | Focusing on accommodations in thatched-roof houses and townhouses, we are bringing the charm of Japan’s rural landscapes and cultural traditions to the world. ‘Chiiori’ is derived from the thatched-roof house ‘Chian,’ founded by Alex Kerr, and it means ‘the house of the flute.’ Just as Alex enjoyed playing the flute and conversing with the villagers by the irori (traditional hearth), we hope to create joyful experiences with the people of Utazu Co-machi. |
| Utazu Town Cultural Heritage Preservation Association
Hajime Hata, President |
Mito Shirakawa |
| My involvement in local history began when, as a middle school student, I used the Utazu Town History (published in 1958) that was kept at home as material for my summer vacation homework. I am also involved in the recognition of the samurai, Hosokawa Yoriyuki, who appears in Utazu’s history, as well as supporting GEO Guide activities. We are currently collecting old 8mm films and photographs. Please feel free to contact us for any inquiries about the history of Co-machi. My family ran a dried goods shop, so the previous owner, Mr. Kubo, used to come to buy domestically produced soybeans. | My parents’ house was near Co-machi-no-ie, and I currently live at the foot of Mt. Aonoyama. Since becoming a parent, I have come to cherish the various sights of this town. I am interested in creating spaces where everyone—adults and children—can feel at ease, through activities that design local materials and enjoy chatting while working with our hands. I am always open to ideas and welcoming new companions to join. |
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Nana Shimizu |
Soto-sect Nanryuji Temple Mitsuaki Oishi, Chief Priest |
| A third-generation tofu maker dedicated to producing tofu made with 100% domestically grown soybeans. Following in my father’s footsteps, I deliver health-conscious products with his motto, “Eating is living.” I offer gluten-free sweets and bento made with okara and soy milk. I have an interest in the environment and, most importantly, taking action. I take part in beach cleanups, such as on Shamijima Island, collecting marine debris. In Utazu, I engage in port cleanups, and I invite you to join us! | I grew up listening to stories from elderly people since I was raised in a temple. The words spoken by the people of this town often make me realize that this is not only the place where Nanryuji Temple, founded by the Hosokawa family in 1461, stands, but also a town where history has been passed down through generations. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, I would be happy if I could help restore a sense of peace and calm to your heart. The zazen meditation session is held every Sunday at 6:00 AM and is open to everyone. If you are attending for the first time, please contact us in advance.
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The charm of Utazu is not just the sea. The Daisoku River flows through the center of the town, and this has helped active north-south movement between the sea and the mountains. The waterway of the Daisoku River connected the industries of the plains and mountainous areas, and the riverbank near Co-machi served as a hub for loading and unloading goods.
One of the most representative goods transported via the waterway was rice, and rice has played a crucial role in the development of the town at key points throughout its history. For example, at the location where the Utazu Town Hall stands along the Daisoku River, there used to be a rice warehouse belonging to the Takamatsu Matsudaira Clan. In Co-machi, where there are many temples and shrines, the tradition of reverently respecting nature using rice and rice plants has been passed down to this day.
The Ancient Rice Cooperative is working on the production of ancient rice using fallow land in the southern part of the Utazu Co-machi district, and Yushin Shuzo, one of the most famous breweries in Kagawa, produces a liquor called ‘Riceenoir’ made from ancient rice. The company currently has a factory in Ayagawa town, but its origins are in the Utazu Co-machi area. It has a deep connection to Utazu.
Moreover, delicious rice and sake are essential for Japanese cuisine. The ryotei by the river highlights seasonal ingredients and teaches the richness of Sanuki’s cuisine. In the town, initiatives focused on modern health, such as the development of dishes using rice flour and the reevaluation of fermentation techniques, are also starting.
Sanuki, the gateway to Shikoku, where Japan’s local culture is preserved. Through rice, stories are woven every day from Co-machi. Why not listen to the stories within daily life, living peacefully while cherishing our connections?
