Fukiya Furusato Village

Overview

Fukiya Furusato Village, located in Nijō-chō, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, is a bengara mining town that flourished from the mid-Edo period to the Meiji period. Once, it was the only large-scale producer in Japan of bengara, artificially created by oxidizing and reducing iron sulfide ore, along with copper mining. Bengara, a reddish-brown pigment, was used to color lacquerware and ceramics, and to paint the exterior walls of shrines and temples. Preserving the atmosphere of that era, Fukiya Furusato Village features a stunning townscape of Ishigaki tiles and bengara plaster walls, designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Highlights include the former Katayama family residence, an Important Cultural Property of Japan. This late Edo-period merchant's house offers a glimpse into the lives of wealthy merchants of the time. The Fukiya Museum provides insights into the bengara mining industry and the life of Fukiya's people. Numerous bengara-related experiences are available in Fukiya Furusato Village, including bengara dyeing and bengara pottery workshops—unique opportunities found nowhere else. Fukiya Furusato Village is a must-visit destination offering a captivating blend of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery.