The former Kutomi House is a historic building located in Yanagimachi, Saga City, Saga Prefecture. Built in 1921 as the Kutomi Shoten footwear wholesaler, it was established by the first generation, Kutomi Kameichi, who originally ran a footwear business in Hakusan, Saga City. He relocated to Yanagimachi in 1921 and built this structure. The building consists of the main house (east wing) and a storehouse (west wing) standing side-by-side. The main house has a frontage of approximately 9 meters, and the western part of the building is constructed in a traditional storehouse style. As a valuable large town house from the Taisho period, it boasts a heavy and impressive structure. The passageway between the main house and the storehouse on the first floor still leads to the river in the south, evoking the atmosphere of Yanagimachi.
A workshop was built behind the building where geta (Japanese wooden sandals) were manufactured, and the business thrived throughout the prefecture. The second floor of the main house and the storehouse were used as storage space. The second generation, Kutomi Yoshiji, built a geta factory in Hitachinishi, Oita Prefecture, and expanded the business by extending sales channels to the Korean Peninsula, becoming one of the leading footwear wholesalers in the prefecture. The business reportedly continued until around 1980.
Inside the east wing, the beams and earthen floor remain, and a wooden sign reading "Footwear Wholesaler" in horizontal writing is still displayed, preserving the atmosphere of the time. It was designated as a Saga Prefecture Heritage site in 2008 and added to the Saga City Historical and Folk Museum in April 2016. In 2015, the interior was renovated while preserving the exterior features. Currently, the first floor houses a cafe and a photo studio, while the second floor is divided into multiple spaces used as ateliers and studios by various tenants.
The former Kutomi House is a fascinating space where history and modernity blend. You can simultaneously enjoy the building's preserved historical features and the vibrant atmosphere of today. Be sure to visit!
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