During Filmfest Akizuki, the entire town is transformed into a cinema and museum, and visitors can walk around the town visiting films and traditional buildings they want to see.
Visitors are invited not only to view a wide range of film genres, including short films, feature films, experimental films and animation, but also to enjoy the history, urban planning, landscape and architecture of Akizuki together.
There are 126 “National Preservation Areas for Important Traditional Buildings” in Japan, of which 4 are castle towns.
Akizuki is unique in that almost the entire town has been designated as such. The town’s unique urban planning in harmony with its natural surroundings, is what is designated as “protected”.
Filmfest Akizuki aims to highlight the special relationship between Akizuki’s history, urban planning, and architecture, by an insertion of art and film.
Former Tashiro Residence
Designated as a cultural heritage site by Asakura City, this is the residence of a senior samurai of the Akizuki clan. Highlights include the bamboo structure of the thatched roof visible from the Doma space and the large Kura (storehouse) at the back of the property.
Former Tonami Residence
Designated as a cultural heritage site by Asakura City, this is the residence of a senior samurai of the Akizuki clan. Highlights include the large thatched roof, hand-blown glass doors, and the Japanese gardens surrounding the house.
Former Akizuki Kindergarten
The former kindergarten was established in 1952. It was closed due to the aging of the building and a decrease in the number of children in the area. The Showa-retro style atmosphere remains.
Kayabuki House (Thatched House)
A small thatched-roof former samurai residence, with records of it being used as a prison during the Edo period. Renovations were completed in September 2023. Designated as a ‘Important Traditional Building’ by Asakura City.
CASA-KURA A 120-year-old traditional Kura (store-house), renovated in 2022. Visitors can enjoy the juxtaposition of the old structure and the new interior. Designated as a ‘Important Traditional Building’ by Asakura City.