While this post definitely fits into the Route 3 and other tales of endurance (part I) umbrella, I’ve found it its own home because it wasn’t a major destination. I’d dropped by Yame city on the way back from Kikuchi and it seemed like a good opportunity to retire from the column of traffic I’d found myself in.

A selection of photos

There are quite a few old, white-plastered buildings lining the back streets of Yame. For the most part, they seem in use, many have been freshly restored and many remain droopy, cracked & warped. In any case, I like the look.

These cars caught my eye because the two sportier ones were once available in Australia as the Holden Piazza. The other car, a cute, light blue Honda, I recall from the obscure Australian film Malcolm. I don’t think the one below can split in half.

This vermilion & white hexagonal shrine (?) below seems a little out of place amongst its dull surroundings. Perhaps I’d stumbled onto the set of a Japanese version of Dr Who, this being his TARDIS.

Signs of life! Though not evident in the photos, people were in and about these places. Below is an Izakeya with chicken on the menu. Who doesn’t love hot chicken?

No-one can leave sober. (An obscure pun that I shouldn’t have bothered with.)

Apparently, Yame tea is quite famous. Don’t let the lack of customers fool you.

This final shot is of a large & tidy residence. It was around here that a did a u-turn and headed back to sneakily-parked car. It is nigh impossible to park your car for free in Japan. Good thing it was a Sunday with many businesses closed.