A wealthy merchant's mansion, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, where you can experience the history of Toyama's prosperity through the *kitamae-bune* trade.
Historic Sites
National Treasure
📷
No image
Loading...
Highlights
Visit a building constructed in the early Meiji period, designated as a Nationally Important Cultural Property.
See valuable materials and exhibits that provide insights into the lives of wealthy merchants of that era.
Learn about the history of the Kitamae-bune trade.
Stroll through the beautiful streets of Iwase.
Take advantage of a combined ticket for Morike and the adjacent Baba-ke.
About a 20-minute ride on the tram from Toyama Station, get off at Higashiiwase Station and it's a 5-minute walk. Show route
Op.Hours
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Entrance until 4:30 PM)
Cld.Days
Mondays (the following day if a national holiday falls on a Monday) and year-end and New Year's holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)
Fee
Adult: ¥320
Child (Elementary, Junior High, and High School students): ¥150
Group (20 or more people): ¥270
INFO
※Currently closed due to seismic reinforcement work required following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in 2024. Please check the Toyama City website for the latest information.
The Morike Kitamae-bune Kaisen-yashiki is a wholesale merchant's house located in Higashiiwase-machi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, which flourished from the late Edo period to the Meiji period. Kitamae-bune were ships that sailed along the Sea of Japan coast during the late Edo and Meiji periods, transporting goods. The Mori family were wealthy merchants who made their fortune through the Kitamae-bune trade, and their early Meiji-era building is a precious cultural asset that reflects the lifestyle of wealthy merchants at that time.
The building, designated as a Nationally Important Cultural Property, allows visitors to experience the wealth and culture of the wealthy merchants of that era. The luxurious structure and interior are must-sees, particularly the *doma* (earth floor) corridor running from the entrance to the back of the building and the plaster paintings on the *dozo* (storehouse). These offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of wealthy merchants of that time.
At Morike, you can also learn about the history of the Kitamae-bune trade. Exhibits depict the voyages of that time and the goods transported, highlighting the significant contribution of Kitamae-bune to Japan's economic development.
A combined ticket for Morike and the adjacent Baba-ke is a great deal, so be sure to visit both. Baba-ke is even larger than Morike, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the lives of wealthy merchants at the time. Exploring both houses provides a deeper understanding of Toyama's history and its prosperity through the Kitamae-bune trade.
Favorite
