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This town is about a 30-minute ride from Kyoto Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line. If you look on the map, you find Yasu at the bottom right of the oblong Lake Biwako. Farming is the major industry of the region, noted for its fertile soil since the prehistoric Jomon and Yayoi eras. Because of its convenient location, Yasu has in recent years become a bedroom community for businessmen and women working in the Kansai business centers. It is also home for the big factories of Murata Works and the Max Factor Cosmetics Company. Yasu is especially known for the largest number of the prehistoric bronze handbell ornaments unearthed in Japan. In 1881, 14 handbells were unearthed from the Ohiwayama Hill in the village of Koshinohara and in 1962, 10 more were unearthed. The biggest handbell stood 134 cm tall, no doubt needing both hands to make it ring. Handbells of this size had never before been discovered, proving the importance of this finding. Yasu boasts the only Bronze Handbell Museum in Japan. There are other historic museums and relics as well, drawing a huge number of tourists on weekends and holidays.
Thanks to: Yasu Town Tourist Office
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 Main Street |
 Places to Visit |
 Special Places |
 Local Food |
 Festivals |
 Arts and Crafts |
 A Local Celebrity |
