🗺️ Important Cultural Property: Ota Family Residence重要文化財 太田家住宅

Located next to "Tomo no Ura," which thrived as a port trade hub since ancient times, is a group of buildings with significant historical value. This small town, which flourished during the Edo period, has carefully preserved the lanterns, temples, townhouses, and the most representative merchant buildings of the Seto Inland Sea from that era. These buildings were continuously expanded and constructed by the Nakamura family, the "Old Bomei Sake Brewery," from the mid to late Edo period. After the Meiji era, they were taken over by the Ota family, who operated a shipping business, and have been passed down to the present day. The residence has fully retained the original sake brewery structure, including the main house, kitchen, Bomei sake storage, and a place for hanging the cedar ball at the entrance. In 1991, these merchant buildings, which symbolize the Seto Inland Sea, were designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The group of buildings, crafted with the most popular designs and culture of the time, is a precious asset showcasing the area's past prosperity.

The group of buildings located in Tomonoura, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, holds significant historical value. It preserves the most representative merchant architecture of the Seto Inland Sea from the past. The "Old Hōmeisake House," which was continuously expanded and built upon by the Nakamura family, is inherited from the Ōta family, who operated a shipping business. The original sake house structure has been completely preserved. In 1991, it was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.