Lafcadio Hearn and Yaizu: The Seaside Town Loved by a Writer

Hearn as a Writer of Ghost Stories

Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo, 1850–1904) was a Meiji-era writer best known for works such as Kwaidan and Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan. He recorded and translated Japanese folktales like “Mimi-nashi Hōichi” (Earless Hōichi), “Yuki-onna” (The Snow Woman), and “Rokurokubi,” introducing them to the English-speaking world and helping Japanese culture gain international recognition.

Born in Greece and facing hardship in his childhood, Hearn later moved to the United States and became a newspaper journalist. Fascinated by Japanese culture, he came to Japan in 1890, where he taught English while continuing to write. After marrying a Japanese woman, he became a naturalized citizen and took the name Koizumi Yakumo. Beyond his reputation as a ghost-story writer, he is remembered as a cultural bridge who conveyed Japan’s traditions and spirit to the wider world.

A Chance Encounter with Yaizu

In 1897, Hearn first visited Yaizu in search of a summer retreat. Unlike the shallow, calm waters he had known elsewhere, he was captivated by the deep, rough sea of Yaizu. From then until the end of his life, he spent six summers here, staying above the home of a local fishmonger, Otokichi Yamaguchi, and enjoying daily life by the seaside with his family.

Hamadori (Yakumo Street)

This street was where Otokichi's house, where Yakumo stayed, was located. It is also called "Yakumo Street" after Yakumo. It is also the birthplace of Yaizu's fisheries industry.

Photo courtesy of: Yaizu City Tourism Association

A Father, Not Just a Writer

Away from the pressures of writing, Hearn showed another side of himself in Yaizu: that of a father and neighbor. He taught his children to swim in the ocean, took walks with locals, and even joined in the excitement of the Aramatsuri festival at Yaizu Shrine. Here, the famous author of ghost stories was simply a warm and approachable man.

Echoes of Yaizu in His Works

Hearn’s time in Yaizu left traces in his writing, including the story “Otokichi's Daruma,” inspired by his friendship with his host. He described Otokichi as a man “as honest and kind as a god,” reflecting the deep admiration he felt for the people of Yaizu. These encounters added warmth and humanity to his literary voice.

Following in Hearn’s Footsteps Today

Modern Yaizu preserves Hearn’s legacy through sites like the Yaizu Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum. Walking along the quiet coast or visiting the shrine he once admired allows travelers to imagine the summers he spent here. More than a fishing town, Yaizu is also a place where literature and daily life intertwined, offering visitors a chance to discover a new side of Japan.