Kitaya Residence

Overview

Kitaya Residence is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property that showcases the quintessential Kaga Machiya-style architecture. For generations, the subtly beautiful ash patterns in the irori (sunken hearth) and the culture and spirit of tea nurtured by the Hokuriku climate have quietly persisted. The Kitaya family, originally named Takasaki, were samurai from Echizen province. From the mid-Edo period onward, they operated an oil shop and later a sake brewery in Nonoichi, continuing their business until around 1975. The street-facing exterior, featuring slender vertical lattices and the braced gable walls on the second floor, is typical of Kaga Machiya, showcasing high-quality construction. Among the remaining Machiya in Ishikawa Prefecture, it's a particularly valuable and old building. In March 2022, the sake "Shoujou," once brewed here, was revived after nearly half a century. Kitaya Residence is a precious cultural heritage site offering a tangible experience of traditional Kaga Machiya architecture. A visit allows you to sense the lifestyle and culture of the time. Nearby attractions include the Old Kanazawa Machiya Museum and the Kaga Million Stone Satoyama Satoumi Expo, both also designated Important Cultural Properties, allowing for a leisurely day of exploration.