White Wall Townscape of Yanai

Yanai City in southeastern Yamaguchi Prefecture developed as one of the main marchant port cities on the Seto Inland Sea during the Edo period. The “Shirakebe no Machinami (White wall townscape),” where the buildings in Edo storehouse style still stand, is located in Furuichi-Kanaya district in Yanai City. During the feudal domain era, this area was called "Storage Town of Iwakuni Domain," and it was crowded with large carts loaded with products. It is also designated as one of the Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

From spring to autumn, Yanai’s specialty “goldfish lanterns” hang from the eaves of townhouses with plastered white walls and latticed windows. It is said that around the end of the Edo period, merchants in Yanaii took inspiration from the "goldfish nebuta" of Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, and created these lanterns using the dye for traditional fabric "Yanai-Jima" (Yanai Striped fabric) and other materials. During the Bon Festival, it is said that people lit these lanterns to welcome their ancestors' spirits in the evening.

Every year on August 13, the "Goldfish Lantern Festival'' is held, with approximately 4,000 goldfish lanterns displayed throughout the town. At night, the entire town transforms into a fantastic sight illuminated by lights. The festival is a large event that draws a lot of tourists, with the goldfish nebuta parades, goldfish lantern dance performances, fireworks displays, and more.