Yanai City Furuichi Kanaya Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings

Overview

The Yanai City Furuichi Kanaya Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings is located in Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, a place that thrived as a key location on the Seto Inland Sea thanks to the Yanai River, which played a crucial role in transporting goods. Yanai-tsu, located on the north side of the Yanai River, was its central district. Traditional buildings from the mid-Edo period to the early Meiji period line both sides of Honmachi-dori, the main street running east-west. These buildings are mainly two-story structures with gable roofs and clay tiles, featuring heavy, white plaster walls with deep shadows. The goldfish lantern, one of Yanai City's traditional crafts, is said to have been invented by Kumagai Rinzaburo, a merchant from Furuichi. Every August, the "Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival" is held, and goldfish lanterns adorn the white-walled streets of Furuichi Kanaya. Explore the streets lined with white-walled storehouses, experience the history of the goldfish lantern festival, and immerse yourself in the traditional architecture. It's a place where you can touch history and culture. Be sure to visit!