うのがわ・Unogawa
Unogawa is the only hamlet in Kawakami that isn’t situated beside Rt. 169. Passing traffic is light and this quiet hamlet is very lively, likely to be populated for many years to come.
One of the main attractions in Unogawa is the Takuminomura Art Cafe (匠の聚). This very posh art café is maintained by the village and displays works of artists that live in the area. The cafe frequently holds photo and art competitions and offers classes in clay pottery and various other forms of art throughout the year.
The food and coffee here are great and with a fantastic panorama view of the Yoshino mountains, this cafe is a great place to meet with friends or work. There is art for sale on the first floor, and in the basement floor is a free public art exhibition.
There are small artist residency cabins located around this cafe that form a small artist village.
Below Takiminomura along the main road is a woodworking center where you can buy souvenirs made from local wood.
Follow the road further away from Kawakami and take a right at the first bridge and you will enter the most populated residence area of Unogawa. At the end of this road is a small fishery, 中井渓谷自然塾, where segmented pools of the river and BBQs can be rented out. This is a nice place to bring small children in the summer.