A Taisho-themed winter event, "Taisho Lantern Corridor - One Hundred Lights Woven with Children" (大正 灯りの回廊 - 子どもたちと紡ぐ百のあかり -), will be held at Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yamanoha (黒部・宇奈月温泉 やまのは) in Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture, from Saturday, December 26, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027. One hundred lanterns, each made by a local child, will light the annex connecting corridor. The event also includes a history exhibit in cooperation with the Kurobe City Historical and Folklore Museum (黒部市歴史民俗資料館), a "Unazuki Onsen Then and Now Map" (宇奈月温泉今昔マップ), and Taisho romance-themed offerings around the inn. Some exhibits and other contents continue until Monday, April 5, 2027.
Background
Unazuki Onsen opened in 1923 (Taisho 12). The Taisho era gave way to the Showa era on December 25, 1926 (Taisho 15 / Showa 1), so 2026 marks the 100-year milestone of that change of eras. The Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route (黒部宇奈月キャニオンルート) was also opened to the public on Friday, October 2, 2026, making this a significant year for the area.
The event gives visitors a chance to experience the daily life, culture, and townscape of the Taisho era. The event is held in the hope that the 100 lights will carry the region's history and culture into the future.
1. Taisho Lantern Corridor - One Hundred Lights Woven with Children
One hundred lanterns made with local children, in cooperation with local community centers and after-school children's clubs, will be displayed. The washi paper used for the lanterns was stamped with Japanese-pattern eraser stamps handmade by Yamanoha staff, and each child freely designed their own patterns. The handcrafted lanterns express the craft culture of the Taisho era, and the light inside each lantern also represents electricity, the new culture that spread during that era.
Before making the lanterns, the children were introduced to Taisho-era culture and its connection to Unazuki Onsen, and they worked while becoming familiar with the historical background of the time. The 100 lights will line the annex connecting corridor, creating a lantern corridor with a Taisho atmosphere.
- Display period: Saturday, December 26, 2026 to Monday, April 5, 2027
- Location: Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yamanoha, annex connecting corridor (別館渡り廊下)
2. Exhibition "Unazuki Onsen in the Modern Era" (近代の宇奈月温泉)
In cooperation with the Kurobe City Historical and Folklore Museum (黒部市歴史民俗資料館, Unazuki Yugakukan うなづき友学館), photos and materials from the Taisho era, when Unazuki Onsen opened, through the early Showa era will be on display. The exhibition looks back at the early days of the hot spring town and introduces the townscape and daily life of the time.
- Exhibition period: Thursday, December 10, 2026 to Monday, April 5, 2027
- Location: Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yamanoha, 2nd-floor corridor
3. Unazuki Onsen Then and Now Map
The "Unazuki Onsen Then and Now Map" (宇奈月温泉今昔マップ) is based on photos and records from the Taisho and early Showa eras. Visitors can walk around the current hot spring town while sensing traces of its early days and enjoy learning about the history of Unazuki Onsen as they stroll.
- Distribution period: Thursday, December 10, 2026 to Monday, April 5, 2027
- Distribution locations: Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yamanoha, Unazuki Yugakukan (うなづき友学館), and other locations
4. Taisho Romance at the Restaurant (レストランで楽しむ大正ロマン)
At the restaurant "Seeds," dishes and drinks inspired by the Western-style cuisine popular in the Taisho era will be served. The menu includes pork stew baked in a pie crust, "Azuki Milk" (小豆ミルク) made with red bean paste from Fukutaya Confectionery Shop (福多屋菓子舗, founded in the Taisho era) and "Toyama no Gyunyu" (とやまの牛乳) milk from Toyama Alpen Dairy (とやまアルペン乳業), and a whisky-based plum liqueur from Wakatsuru Shuzo (若鶴酒造), "Saburomaru Distillery Aged Plum Liqueur" (三郎丸蒸留所貯蔵 梅酒).
- Serving period: Saturday, December 26, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027
- Location: Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yamanoha, restaurant "Seeds"
- Menu:
- Pork stew baked in a pie crust (dinner)
- Azuki Milk (Sunday mornings only)
- Saburomaru Distillery Aged Plum Liqueur (paid)
5. Photo Studio Through the Ages (時代をめぐる写真館)
A photo spot is set up in the inn's Showa-retro bar. In a space decorated in a retro Taisho-to-Showa atmosphere, guests can use a backdrop made from modern-era photos of Unazuki Onsen and items such as haori jackets, hats, and retro Western umbrellas. Guests can freely wear the items and take commemorative photos as they like. The inn also has Taisho-style decorations and music, so guests can enjoy the Taisho atmosphere throughout their stay.
- Period: Saturday, December 26, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027
- Location: Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yamanoha, 1st-floor Retro Bar
6. Taisho Romance Confectionery Corner "An Afternoon Moment" (大正ロマン菓子処―午后のひととき―)
The inn's shop offers a corner where guests can choose their favorites from a variety of modern-retro Japanese sweets, such as konpeito and monaka. Guests can choose 5 or 10 pieces, and those who choose 10 receive a retro drink of their choice, either ramune or oshiruko (sweet red bean soup).
- Period: Saturday, December 26, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027
- Location: Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yamanoha, shop
- Price:
- 5 Japanese sweets: ¥270 (tax included)
- 10 Japanese sweets: ¥432 (tax included), with a choice of retro drink (ramune or oshiruko)
7. Stay Plan "Enjoy Taisho Romance" (大正ロマンを愉しむ宿泊プラン)
A stay plan with a Taisho romance theme goes on sale on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The plan includes honey castella and konpeito selected by Fukutaya Confectionery Shop (福多屋菓子舗) and a camellia hair ornament (hair clip) by B acce, which handles the inn's flower arrangements. Guests also choose between the whisky-based "Saburomaru Distillery Aged Plum Liqueur" (三郎丸蒸留所貯蔵 梅酒) from Wakatsuru Shuzo (若鶴酒造), served at the restaurant, or the Taisho Romance Confectionery Corner "An Afternoon Moment" (大正ロマン菓子処―午后のひととき―).
- Plan period: Saturday, December 26, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027 (based on the date of stay)
- Contents:
- Honey castella and konpeito selected by Fukutaya Confectionery Shop
- Camellia hair ornament (hair clip) by B acce
- Choice of one of the following:
- Wakatsuru Shuzo "Saburomaru Distillery Aged Plum Liqueur" (served at the restaurant, for guests aged 20 and over)
- 10 retro-modern Japanese sweets from the Taisho Romance Confectionery Corner "An Afternoon Moment" (with a retro drink)
- Plan sales start: Thursday, November 5, 2026
- How to book: Reserve on the official website
