Kasajima, Honjima-cho, Marugame City: Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings

Overview

Kasajima, Honjima-cho, Marugame City: Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, is a historically and culturally rich area located in the Shiwaku Islands of Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture. Situated on the northeastern part of Honjima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, this village nestled between mountains has supported human life for centuries. This area once flourished as the base of the Shiwaku Navy, and during the Edo period, it thrived as a key center for water transport, with its townscape centered around ship brokers. However, following the decline of the shipping industry, the people of Kasajima, leveraging their shipbuilding skills, became renowned as "Shiwaku carpenters", working throughout Japan. Shiwaku carpenters maintained their houses during their occasional returns to Kasajima, resulting in the near-perfect preservation of the Edo-era townscape. This led to its designation as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1985. Efforts to restore and preserve the traditional townscape continue to this day. The district features traditional townhouses and merchant houses built by Shiwaku carpenters, exuding an old-world charm. The maze of narrow alleyways is also delightful to explore. The Matchiyo-dori and Higashikoji streets are particularly noteworthy, forming the heart of the area with their rows of traditional houses. The Maki Residence is open to the public as the Kasajima Town Preservation Center; the Oguri Residence is open as the Fureai-no-Yakata (Hall of Interaction); and the Fujii Residence serves as an archive, all offering opportunities for visitors to explore. Kasajima, Honjima-cho, Marugame City: Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, is a highly recommended tourist spot for learning about history and culture, and enjoying a tranquil experience. Be sure to visit!