Kitamaebune Shipowner’s House
Soryokan used to be a part of a larger residence that belonged to KUBO Hikobei, one of the wealthiest Kitamaebune shipowners, whose business thrived in the area. Kitamaebune were merchant ships that once travelled across the Sea of Japan from the mid-Edo (around 1700-1750) to the Meiji era (1868-1912). Today, Soryokan is used as a civic centre, allowing visitors a glimpse inside this historic residence and garden.