🗺️ Five Zhuangjintang Blocks五個荘金堂の町並み

The Gokasho Kindo area (former residences of Omi merchants) is located in Higashiomi City, in the central region of Shiga Prefecture. It is renowned for its deep connections to the Omi merchants. The district features a historical landscape composed of many old residences of Omi merchants and traditional farmhouse buildings. This area, overflowing with retro charm, has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government. From the late Edo period to the early Showa period before the war, the Omi merchants in the Gokasho Kindo area gradually expanded their business channels, focusing on products such as kimonos, cotton fabrics, and silk textiles. Even today, many long-established textile companies originating from this area remain active in the modern market. Strolling through the streets, one can find nostalgic scenery everywhere. Warehouses built with boat boards and surrounded by white walls stand in succession, exuding a strong sense of history. Beside the streets, a gently flowing waterway allows koi to swim gracefully in the clear stream, creating a tranquil and leisurely space that makes one forget the passage of time. In the Kindo area, there are two former residences of Omi merchants (the Hidemura Shige residence and the Nakagawa Jungorō residence) that are open to the public. Visitors can also explore facilities such as the Kindo Old Town Preservation and Exchange Hall to learn about the lifestyle of people from that era.

White walls, gardens, and koi fish create a picturesque street scene. Selected as an important preservation area for traditional Japanese architecture. At the Nakagawa Jungorō residence, one can appreciate the unique Japanese style of pond and strolling gardens. In 2015, it was designated as a Japanese Heritage site under the theme "Lake Biwa and its Lakeside Landscape - A Water Heritage of Prayer and Life."