Stately, Historic Former Homes of Wealthy Shipowners
Located at the southern end of Ishikawa Prefecture, the Hashitate district of present-day Kaga City was the hometown of many owners of kitamaebune—merchant ships that sailed between northern Japan and Osaka from the Edo period (1603–1867) to the turn of the twentieth century. This lucrative trade enabled the ships' owners to build stately houses. Many of these wooden houses, with distinctive red-tiled roofs, still stand in the area today.
One of the houses has been converted into the Kitamaebune Ship Museum. The Kitamaebune Ship Museum celebrates the history of kitamaebune, wooden ships that traded along the Sea of Japan coast from the Edo period (1603–1867) to the turn of the twentieth century. The museum is set in the grand home of a wealthy kitamaebune owner, built in 1876. The museum retains the atmosphere of the large, historic home and displays kitamaebune artifacts such as ship cabinets and navigation tools. They provide detailed information illustrating life on board the kitamaebune ships.
Many kitamaebune owners hailed from the surrounding Hashitate District. Some of their stately homes, with their distinctive red-tiled roofs, still stand out in the area.
One of the houses has been converted into the Kitamaebune Ship Museum. The Kitamaebune Ship Museum celebrates the history of kitamaebune, wooden ships that traded along the Sea of Japan coast from the Edo period (1603–1867) to the turn of the twentieth century. The museum is set in the grand home of a wealthy kitamaebune owner, built in 1876. The museum retains the atmosphere of the large, historic home and displays kitamaebune artifacts such as ship cabinets and navigation tools. They provide detailed information illustrating life on board the kitamaebune ships.
Many kitamaebune owners hailed from the surrounding Hashitate District. Some of their stately homes, with their distinctive red-tiled roofs, still stand out in the area.
