Kitamae-bune Kaisen Wholesale Street

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Kitamae-bune Kaisen Wholesale Street

Stroll the retro town prospered from Kitamae boat trading during Edo and Meiji Periods.

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From Edo to Meiji Periods, Iwase District prospered as a port for Kitamae boats used in Japan Sea trading and as a village for captains. The retro townscape still remains today.

Omachi Niikawa-cho Street used to be known as Hokkoku Kaido Road, which is lined with workshops and stores converted from traditional homes. Taste Iwase’s specialties, Triangle dorayaki and Tobi-dango and other gourmet food. Stop by at Mori Family’s residence, a national important cultural property built around 1878 for the boat wholesaler. It is also worth a look at the home of Baba Family, who was one of the Five Greatest Kitamae Boat Captains in Hokuriku Region since late Edo Period.

Mori Family’s residence has the typical townhome structure since Edo Period, but this has the wooden doors made of valuable Yaku Cedar and a rare huge chunk of rock from Shodo Island used for entrance.
Baba Residence is the largest in Iwase District with the main home, a number of storages, gates and walls. “Tori-niwa,” a 30m-long hallway, and “Oi,” a chamber with 33 tatami mattresses, give a glimpse into their wealth back then.

Highlights

  • The retro townscape still remains today. 
  • A cruise ship from Fugan-Unga-Kansui Park gives you access to Iwase.
  • Taste Triangle dorayaki, Tobi-dango and other Iwase gourmet food.
  • Check out the homes of the wholesaler, Mori Family, and Baba Family.

Photos

  • Shops converted from old homes dot the area
Photo by Toyama City Tourism Association

    Shops converted from old homes dot the area Photo by Toyama City Tourism Association

  • Mori Residence with the look of Meiji Period architecture
Photo by Toyama City Tourism Association

    Mori Residence with the look of Meiji Period architecture Photo by Toyama City Tourism Association

  • “Tori-niwa,” a 30m-long hallway in the Baba Residence

    “Tori-niwa,” a 30m-long hallway in the Baba Residence

  • Kitamae boat sculpture on the former Hokkoku Kaido Road 
Photo by Toyama City Tourism Association

    Kitamae boat sculpture on the former Hokkoku Kaido Road Photo by Toyama City Tourism Association

  • Kaisen Boat wholesaler shops with the look of good old days
Photo by Toyama Tourism Promotion Organization

    Kaisen Boat wholesaler shops with the look of good old days Photo by Toyama Tourism Promotion Organization

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Details

Name in Japanese
北前船廻船問屋街
Postal Code
931-8356
Address
Higashiiwasemachi, Toyama City, Toyama
Closed
Depend on facilities
Hours
Depend on facilities
Admission
Depend on facilities
Directions
From Toyama Chiho Railway, Higashi-Iwase Station or Iwasehama Station, walk 10 min.
Credit Cards
Depend on facilities