🗺️ Kitamaebune Return Ship Warehouse Street (Iwase Area)北前船廻船問屋街

From the Edo period to the Meiji period, the Iwase area was a key trading hub for the Sea of Japan and a stopover for the Kitamaebune (北前船), as well as a thriving settlement for shipowners. Today, the streets still retain the appearance from that time, exuding a strong nostalgic atmosphere. Along the Oomachi Shinkawacho street, which was famous for the Hokuriku Road, there are many workshops and shops that have been converted from old houses. Visitors can also enjoy Iwase's renowned delicacies such as "Sankaku Dorayaki" (三角銅鑼燒) and "Hidamari Dango" (飛糰子). The Mori family residence is a building that preserves the traditional machiya (町家) architectural structure since the Edo period, featuring Yakusugi (屋久杉) wooden sliding doors and large stones from Shodoshima (小豆島) used in the earthen floor, both of which are worth seeing. On the other hand, the Baba family residence is the largest machiya in the Iwase area, still retaining multiple warehouses, gates, and walls in addition to the main house. The long indoor passageway, known as "TOORINIWA," stretches 30 meters, and the spacious room named "OI" spans 33 tatami mats, providing a glimpse into the prosperity of the past.

The streets from the Edo to the Meiji period still retain an old atmosphere. You can take a sightseeing boat from the Fugan Canal Kansui Park to Iwase. Taste the famous local delicacies such as "Sankaku Dorayaki" and "Hidamari Dango" in Iwase. You can also admire the historical buildings of the Koya and Baba families, which were once involved in the boat rental business.