薬種商の館金岡邸, Historical medicine merchant residence in Toyama, Japan
The Kanaoka Medicine Merchant House is a traditional residence from the early Meiji period that preserves the family's history as medicine traders. The rooms contain historical apothecary cabinets and display approximately 180 types of medicinal herbs and remedies in their original containers.
The Kanaoka family established this residence in the early Meiji period and became important to Toyama's economic growth through medicine trading. Later they expanded into banking and electricity, showing how they shifted from merchants to broader business enterprises.
The residence reveals how wealthy medicine merchants lived and worked during the Meiji period, with spaces that show their daily routines and appreciation for craft. The traditional garden reflects the aesthetic choices that were important to families of this status and time.
The residence is about a five-minute walk from Higashi-Shinjō Station and is easy to locate. The rooms are spread across multiple levels, so comfortable shoes are recommended and you should be prepared for stairs and narrow passages.
Visitors can wear traditional happi coats and take photographs in the historic rooms, which becomes a memorable moment for many guests. This experience allows you to briefly step into the role of someone from the Meiji period.
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