A machiya townhouse facing the Nara Kaido road, with its back bordering the Ryoi River, built so that cargo from the Kashiwara-bune could be unloaded directly. Originally an influential merchant known as “Daimonjiya” in Fushimi Gofuku-machi, Osaka, the family moved to Kashiwara in 1636 and ran Kashiwara-bune boat operations and a fertilizer business. A major renovation of the residence began in 1766, and the residence has survived to this day without any major renovations since. Many documents related to the construction at that time also remain, clearly showing when it was built and serving as valuable materials offering insight into the living and economic conditions of the era, so the documents have also been designated Important Cultural Properties along with the house.

Formerly a kimono fabric wholesaler. They did business through water transport and so on, using the adjacent waterway. “Where there's water, there's business.” The major wealthy merchants made skillful use of water transport. If there wasn't any, they built it. Oxen and horses wear out, and it takes time. In the old days, it was all about water transport.

It's a registered cultural property, but people still live there.

When you wander around Kashiwara City, you sometimes come across places that feel like you've slipped back in time. This Mita Family Residence is one of them. It was built in 1776, but it's still a sturdy, stately old house. The main house, storehouse, walls, and so on are apparently national Important Cultural Properties. I suppose the descendants still live there. I hope they'll keep taking good care of this historical heritage.

The only Important Cultural Property in Kashiwara City