Hamanaka-cho Hachibonoki-juku Traditional Buildings Preservation District (Hizenhama-juku)

Overview

Hamanaka-cho Hachibonoki-juku is an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings located in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture. It's part of Hizenhama-juku, a post town on the Tara Kaido, situated on the left bank of the Hamagawa River flowing through Hamamachi, Kashima City, Saga Prefecture. Developing from a post town in the early modern period, it thrived primarily on brewing sake and other alcoholic beverages from the mid-Edo period onward. Centered on the Tara Kaido running through the heart of the town, rows of diverse architecture line both sides, ranging from late Edo to Showa eras, including fire-resistant *ie-gura-zukuri* and *sengawa-buki ma-kabe-zukuri* merchant houses, *dozo-zukuri* sake breweries, samurai residences, and Western-style buildings. Three sake breweries – Fukuchiyo Sake Brewery, Koubu Sake Brewery, and Mineshima Sake Brewery – continue production today, forming the so-called "Sake Brewery Street," where beautifully preserved white-walled buildings stand. In spring, a Sake Brewery Tourism event is held, offering sake brewery tours, tastings, and dishes made with local ingredients. Enjoy a journey of experiencing history and tradition, and savoring delicious sake. The surrounding area also boasts many attractions, including Hama-shōtsu-machi Hama-kinya-machi, another Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and Yutoku Inari Shrine.