Tsutoya Store and Main House

Tsutoya Store and Main Residence: A Preserved Machiya in Yasuda Town

Tucked away in the quiet streets of Yasuda Town in eastern Kochi Prefecture, the Tsutoya Store and Main Residence (つとや店舗兼主屋) stands as an evocative remnant of early Showa-era commercial life in rural Shikoku. Built in 1933, this modest yet beautifully crafted machiya (traditional Japanese townhouse) was registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2007, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.

Yasuda Town, nestled between the Yasuda River and the Pacific coast, has long been a center of local commerce and culture. Walking along its historic streets, visitors encounter a townscape where traditional architecture still lines the roadways — and the Tsutoya residence is one of the finest examples of this enduring heritage.

Architectural Features and Design

The Tsutoya Store and Main Residence is a wooden, predominantly single-story structure with a partial second floor. It covers a building area of approximately 75 square meters, with a span of four ken (approximately 7.2 meters) along the street frontage and five ken (approximately 9 meters) in depth. The building features a gable roof (kirizuma-zukuri) covered with san-gawara (interlocking flat tiles), a roofing style characteristic of the region.

The floor plan follows the traditional machiya layout typical of Tosa (historical Kochi). The front section features an earthen-floor area (doma) that served as the shop space, directly engaging with the street to the north. Along the eastern side, a through-passage earthen floor provided a workspace for daily tasks. Deeper within the building, an eight-tatami sitting room (zashiki) offered a more private living area. The partial second floor contains two compact rooms of four-and-a-half tatami mats each.

One of the most distinctive features of this building is the mizukiri-gawara (drip tiles) installed above the front lean-to roof. These decorative and functional tiles, designed to channel rainwater away from the facade, are a hallmark of the regional architectural tradition of eastern Tosa. This detail reflects the builders' adaptation to the heavy rainfall common in Kochi Prefecture, while also lending the facade an elegant horizontal accent.

Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property

The Tsutoya Store and Main Residence was registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property (登録有形文化財) on July 31, 2007. The registration system, established in 1996 under an amendment to Japan's Cultural Properties Protection Act, was designed to preserve a broad range of historic buildings — particularly those from the modern era — that might otherwise disappear due to urbanization, changing lifestyles, and natural disasters.

This building was recognized for several key reasons. First, it preserves a representative example of early Showa-period commercial townhouse architecture in eastern Kochi. Second, its use of traditional construction techniques — including the earthen-floor shop layout, timber framing, and tile roofing — demonstrates the continuity of regional building practices. Third, the distinctive mizukiri-gawara drip tiles showcase a localized architectural feature that gives the building particular cultural and historical significance. Together, these qualities make the Tsutoya residence a valuable piece of the broader cultural landscape of Yasuda Town.

The Historic Townscape of Yasuda

The Tsutoya Store and Main Residence does not stand alone. It is part of a broader historic townscape in Yasuda Town that includes multiple registered cultural properties. Along the old commercial streets, visitors can find the Minami Shoten Store and Main Residence, the Minami Family Residence, and several other traditional buildings that have been recognized for their architectural and historical merit.

Nearby, the Yasuda Machinami Koryu-kan "Nagomi" (安田まちなみ交流館・和) offers a fascinating window into this heritage. Housed in two adjacent registered cultural properties — the former Kashiwabara Residence (a traditional Japanese-style home from the Taisho to early Showa period, built with abundant timber from the nearby Yanase forests) and the former Ichikawa Medical Clinic (a charming Western-style building from the Taisho era) — the center introduces visitors to the history of Yasuda Town, including its connections to the Bakumatsu period and figures who played important roles alongside Sakamoto Ryoma.

Highlights and Attractions for Visitors

Visiting the Tsutoya Store and Main Residence offers a rare glimpse into the everyday commercial architecture of pre-war rural Japan. While many similar buildings across the country have been lost to modernization, this structure retains its original form and character. The interplay of functional and aesthetic elements — from the practical earthen-floor shop to the refined tile work — invites visitors to imagine the rhythms of daily life in a small Shikoku town during the 1930s.

A stroll through the surrounding streets reveals a townscape that feels remarkably unchanged. The quiet lanes, lined with traditional buildings, offer a sense of tranquility that contrasts with Japan's bustling cities. For visitors interested in architecture, local history, or simply the pleasure of discovering Japan's lesser-known cultural treasures, Yasuda Town provides a deeply rewarding experience.

Please note that this building is privately owned. Visitors are kindly requested to view and appreciate it respectfully from the street, without entering the property or causing disturbance to the residents.

Surrounding Area and Nearby Attractions

Yasuda Town offers much more than its historic townscape. The area is rich in cultural, spiritual, and natural attractions that make it an ideal destination for a day of exploration in eastern Kochi.

Konomine-ji Temple (神峯寺), the 27th temple on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, sits high on a mountainside at an elevation of approximately 450 meters. Known as one of the most challenging stops on the pilgrimage route, it rewards visitors with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and beautifully maintained Japanese gardens along its stone stairway. The mother of Iwasaki Yataro, founder of the Mitsubishi conglomerate, is said to have made a 21-day barefoot pilgrimage to this temple to pray for her son's success.

Kita-dera Temple (北寺) in the Bessho area of Yasuda houses nine Buddhist statues designated as national Important Cultural Properties, representing approximately one-tenth of all Important Cultural Property sculptures in Kochi Prefecture. Advance reservations are recommended for viewing.

The former Yanase Forest Railway structures (旧魚梁瀬森林鉄道施設), several of which are designated as national Important Cultural Properties, can be found along the Yasuda River valley. These stone tunnels and bridges — including the Eya Tunnel, the Banda Island Tunnel, and the Myojinguchi Bridge — are remnants of the logging railway that once transported timber from the rich mountain forests.

Jokou-ji Temple (乗光寺), located near the town center, is known for its Western-style gate (itself a registered cultural property) and its historic connection to the Confucian scholar Okamoto Neiho, whose students included such luminaries as Takechi Zuizan and Iwasaki Yataro.

The Yasuda River itself is a pristine stream without any dams, famous for its crystal-clear water and excellent ayu (sweetfish) fishing, particularly during summer months.