Furuichi-Kanaya Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, Traditional merchant district in Yanai, Japan.
The Furuichi-Kanaya district consists of two parallel streets lined with wooden merchant houses that display traditional tile roofs and carefully crafted architectural details from different periods. The buildings remain in various styles and together form a closed ensemble from the commercial life of past times.
The district gained importance during the Edo period when it became a central storage location for goods within the Iwakuni Domain, then developed into a merchant quarter. This storage function shaped its growth and structure over the centuries.
Local festivals brighten the streets with handcrafted goldfish lanterns, showing how traditional customs remain alive in daily life. These celebrations bring visitors and residents together, keeping regional practices going.
The district is open to visitors daily and sits just a five-minute walk from JR Yanai Station, with informational signs in multiple languages throughout the area. Clear paths and signage make it easy to navigate and explore the quarter on your own.
Many buildings still serve their original purposes as both residences and commercial spaces, making this place a living museum where real trade activities happen in historic structures. Visitors can see how traditional shops and crafts actually operate in their daily work.
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