The Uchida Houses of Utsumi
The Uchida Family Residences of the Utsumi Shipowners (尾州廻船内海船船主 内田家) in Utsumi, Minamichita Town, Chita District, Aichi Prefecture, are the early Meiji houses of the Uchida Sashichi family, leading owners of the Utsumi cargo fleet, and of its branch, the Uchida Saheiji family; the Former Uchida Family Residence, built in 1869, was designated an Important Cultural Property in 2017, and five structures of the Saheiji house became Registered Tangible Cultural Properties in 2018. They are owned by Minamichita Town.
According to the town, large cargo ships owned by people of Owari were called Bishu kaisen, and those based in and around Utsumi were known as Utsumi-bune. At their height they formed a fleet of some 100 vessels trading from the Seto Inland Sea to Edo. Unlike freight carriers that earned from shipping fees, the Utsumi shipowners bought goods where they were produced and sold them where they delivered them, and being independent of merchants and financiers, they made large profits.
Two Houses
The Former Uchida Family Residence (the Uchida Sashichi house) was built in 1869 by the second Uchida Sashichi and comprises the main house, a reception wing, a retirement wing, a new barn and several sheds and storehouses (Minamichita Town). The Agency for Cultural Affairs values it as a rare shipowner's residence on the Pacific side that preserves an early Meiji layout almost intact.
The Former Uchida Saheiji Family Residence was built by the Sashichi family for the first Sazo, who had managed the family's branch shop, when he returned to Utsumi; it dates from around 1872 (Minamichita Town). Five structures are registered: the main house, storehouse, retirement cottage, front gate and barns, and an openwork fence. The town notes it may have reused timber left over from the main Uchida house and shares much of its plan.
Visiting and Getting There
According to Minamichita Town, the Uchida (Sashichi) house opens on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays (except the New Year), from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from March to September (last entry 4:00 p.m.) and 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from October to February (last entry 3:30 p.m.). Admission is ¥300 (free for junior high school students and younger; ¥270 for groups of 20 or more), and volunteer guides are on hand on Sundays. There is no resident staff, so for visits on other days consult the town's education division (0569-65-0711). It closes when storm or heavy-rain warnings are issued.
Take the Umikko bus (Minamichita-Mihama loop, anticlockwise) from Meitetsu Utsumi Station to the Uchida Sashichi-ke-mae stop, 2 minutes' walk. By car it is about 10 minutes from the Minamichita exit of the Chita Peninsula Road toward Utsumi, with parking for about 10 cars in front (Minamichita Town). No public opening information was found for the Saheiji house.
References
- 旧内田家住宅 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/00005000
- 旧内田佐平二家住宅主屋 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00012560
- About the Uchida houses (Minamichita Town)
- https://www.town.minamichita.lg.jp/kankosangyou/bunkasports/1001407/1001408.html
- Visitor information for the Uchida houses (Minamichita Town)
- https://www.town.minamichita.lg.jp/kankosangyou/bunkasports/1001407/1001409.html
- Access to the Uchida houses (Minamichita Town)
- https://www.town.minamichita.lg.jp/kankosangyou/bunkasports/1001407/1001410.html
Last verified: 2026.10.04
Basic Information
| Name | Uchida Family Residences of the Utsumi Shipowners |
|---|---|
| Location | 39 Minamigawa, Utsumi, Minamichita Town, Chita District, Aichi Prefecture |
| Owner | Minamichita Town |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (1) · Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (5) |
| Coordinates | 34.73853, 136.87106 |
