Amigaya, an umegae-mochi and souvenir shop in Dazaifu, was selected as the winner of the first ever Dazaifu Scenery Award. The award was established by Dazaifu City to promote its urban development efforts centered on the city’s scenic buildings. The award attracted around 60 applications across eight categories. Amagiya was selected after a popular vote by the citizens and a deliberation by the City Scenic and Civic Heritage Committee, a group composed of local stakeholders and chaired by Professor Emeritus Naoto Asano of Fukuoka University. Built in 1888, Amagiya is a three-story wooden building that is said to be an excellent example of Meiji Era architecture. Meanwhile, a local volunteer group that cleans and conserves historical markers in Daizaifu was awarded the Mayor’s Prize, and the Oda family residence was given a Special Prize. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 11/
