| Umaji 馬路村 |
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| — Village — | |
| Location of Umaji in Kōchi | |
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Umaji
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Shikoku region |
| Prefecture | Kōchi |
| District | Aki |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Takashi Kamiji |
| Area | |
| • Total | 165.52 km2 (63.9 sq mi) |
| Population (February 29, 2008) | |
| • Total | 1,109 |
| • Density | 6.7/km2 (17.4/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) |
| City symbols | |
| - Tree | Cryptomeria |
| - Flower | Yuzu |
| - Bird | Blue-and-White Flycatcher |
| Phone number | 0887-44-2111 |
| Address | 443 Umaji, Umaji-mura, Kōchi-ken 781-6201 |
| Website | Village of Umaji |
Umaji (馬路村 Umaji-mura) is a village located in Aki District, Kōchi, Japan.
As of February 29, 2008, the village has an estimated population of 1,109 and a density of 6.7 persons per km². The total area is 165.52 km².
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Umaji is located in a mountainous region, and the Yasuda River flows through. Approximately 96% of the village is covered by forests, 75% of which are protected by the government. Major mountains include Mount Eboshi (1,320 m) and Jinkichimori (1,423 m).
Umaji is part of the local area called Chugei 中芸 which includes Umaji, Yasuda, Tano, Nahari and Kitagawa.
There are the usual male and female onsens and also a family onsen, which only holds about 2 adults. It's not terribly fancy but is reasonably priced and you do get to avail of the yuzu soap. Everything in Umaji comes with yuzu. They often have a bath with rose petals in it (ばら風呂) and of course they throw some yuzu in there for new years. There's also a decent restaurant at the onsen. I recommend the yuzu fried chicken in a bowl of rice set (ゆず酢鳥丼) and the yakiniku in a bowl of rice (焼肉丼) other things of note are the mushrooms with yuzu miso and chicken sashimi. I've had the chicken sashimi a few times and still no salmonella. For booze they have the beer, some locally (Yasuda and Tano) made sake and yuzu shochu (ゆず酒). It's made from Umaji yuzu and Muroto deep sea water. It's great. For dessert they have recently started a gokkun (drink made in Umaji) ice cream which is also great. Last orders for food at 8:30. You can also stay at the onsen. There are Japanese style rooms, western style rooms and bungalows. They look quite nice, all woodeny at stuff. Website, in Japanese only: http://www.umaj.gr.jp/ Inquires can be made at 0887-44-2028, again Japanese only.
The factory is just as you come into the village. It is a large black building beside the yuzu no mori (ゆずの森). Here, you can see where all the yuzu products are made and packaged. You can sample the sprays and sit back in the Yanase cedar chairs while enjoying a complementary Gokkun. The factory is open every day but to see the machines in action you will probably have to go during the week. The machines are situated down stairs, walk past the open office and down the stairs on the right. Some can be seen from the top floor as well, down the corridor on the right. Feel free to wander.
Yamanami is right across from the village offices. While facing Kiyooka shop (written in hiragana きよおか), turn left. It's about 30 seconds up the road on your right. Good food and prices. Contact: 0887-44-2625 http://www.e-shops.jp/local/lsh/an/39/6911712.html
Umaji's one and only snack/karaoke bar. Near the JA offices. You need to contact the owner in advance if you want to go there. You will be met with some interesting decorations there.
A new cosmetics shop has recently opened in Umaji. It is a large building, near the factory with a bright red roof. Here, you can try and buy all the products made in Umaji. Nearby is a shop where you can buy yuzu soya sauce, yuzu sake and yuzu chilli powder to name a few. Next to that shop is a bakery selling all sorts of delicious bread.
Next to the onsen is a train that goes around in a circle, not once, but twice and the incline that takes you to the top of the mountain using only water power. There are various obstacle courses, ropes to pull, metal drums to run on and poles to climb up the top.
Go over the big red bridge and follow the road into Yanase. On the right you will see a small park. Turn left at the “level crossing” for the train that goes around in a circle, twice, but only on Sundays. Go straight and you will come to the onsen on the right. Open until 8:30. Closed on Wednesdays.
すぎの家 (Sugi no ie) is right across from the onsen. It is mostly open during the day unless with a special request. Closed on Wednesday.
おはら食堂 (Ohara Shokudo) is close to the JA shop and bus stop. Open daily until 7. Closed on Mondays.
The autocamp is located just before you get to Yanase. There are cabins available to rent and camping spaces. You can rent barbecues for free. There are great views of the dam and Yanase from here. Inquires to the Yanase branch offices (Japanese only).
Access is only by car or bus. Umaji's local train station is in Yasuda which is about a 30 minute drive away. Yasuda is on the Gomen-Nahari Line. http://www.tosakuro.co.jp/tosakuro/train_E_top.html
| Aki business Offices | 10:15 | 13:25 | 16:25+ | 18:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aki Station | 10:25 | 13:35 | 16:35+ | 18:10 |
| Yasuda Station | 10:43 | 13:53 | 16:53+ | 18:28 |
| Umaji | 11:20 | 14:30 | 17:30+ | 19:05 |
| Yanase | - | 15:06 | - | 19:41 |
+ No service on Sundays or national holidays.
| Yanase | 6:22 | - | 15:26 | - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umaji | 6:58 | 11:25 | 16:02 | 17:35+ |
| Yasuda Station | 7:35 | 12:02 | 16:39 | 18:12+ |
| Aki Station | 7:53 | 12:20 | 16:57 | 18:30+ |
| Aki Business Offices | 8:03 | 12:30 | 17:07 | 18:37+ |
+ No service on Sundays or national holidays.
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Umaji,_Kochi Umaji, Kōchi] at Wikimedia Commons
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