Retirement House of the Abe Family

Shinya Abe Family Residence Retirement House: A Hidden Cultural Treasure on Japan's Cat Island

On the gentle hillside of Tashiro-jima — one of Japan's most beloved "Cat Islands" — stands a quietly elegant two-story wooden building that tells the story of a prosperous fishing family's heritage. The Shinya Abe Family Residence Retirement House (臣屋阿部家住宅隠居屋, Shinya Abe-ke Jūtaku Inkyo-ya) is a nationally registered tangible cultural property located in the Nitoda settlement on Tashiro Island, part of Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture. Built in 1954, this charming inkyo-ya (retirement house) reflects both the traditional architecture of a fishing household and the modernizing aesthetics of the mid-Showa era.

What Is an Inkyo-ya?

In traditional Japanese family life, an inkyo-ya (隠居屋) is a retirement dwelling where the older generation of a household would live after passing the family responsibilities to the next generation. These buildings were typically located within the same estate as the main house, allowing the retired family members to remain close while enjoying a more private and tranquil living space. The inkyo-ya of the Shinya Abe family is a fine example of this custom as practiced in the fishing communities of the Sanriku coast.

Architectural Features and Design

The retirement house stands beside the stone steps at the southern edge of the property, facing west. It is a two-story wooden structure with a hip-and-gable (irimoya) tiled roof, giving it an imposing yet graceful silhouette. The exterior is finished in sasarako shitami-ita-bari — a type of elegant clapboard siding with thin bamboo battens — that lends a refined texture to the building's appearance.

Several architectural details set this building apart. The entrance features a projecting hip-and-gable porch (irimoya genkan), adding a sense of formality. On the second floor, the western and southern facades are adorned with railed bay windows (demado) that serve both as decorative accents and practical spaces for enjoying the ocean view. The second-floor reception room (zashiki) features traditional zashiki-kazari — formal alcove decorations — on the eastern wall, while the bay window frames a sweeping vista of the sea, creating a distinctive reception space that blends hospitality with natural beauty.

The building area is a compact 31 square meters, yet the two-story design and thoughtful spatial arrangement give the interior a sense of spaciousness. Officially described as adding "a modern touch to the fisherman's estate composition," this retirement house demonstrates how fishing families on Tashiro Island adapted traditional residential forms with contemporary sensibilities.

Why Was It Designated a Cultural Property?

The Shinya Abe Family Residence Retirement House was registered as a nationally registered tangible cultural property (登録有形文化財) on September 10, 2019, together with the Shinya Abe Family Residence Main House (主屋), which dates to 1881. The registration recognizes the retirement house for several important qualities.

First, it is a well-preserved example of mid-Showa residential architecture on a remote island community, reflecting both local building traditions and the economic vitality of island fishing families. Second, the building's refined design — including the clapboard siding, bay windows, and formal reception room — demonstrates how prosperous fishing households invested in architectural quality even for secondary residential structures. Third, as part of the larger Shinya Abe estate, the retirement house contributes to the historic landscape of the island settlement in Ishinomaki Bay, preserving a visual record of how traditional fishing village communities were organized.

Japan's registered tangible cultural property system was established in 1996 to protect historically significant buildings that might otherwise be lost to modernization and changing lifestyles. Unlike the stricter designation of Important Cultural Properties, registration provides a flexible framework that encourages owners to maintain and use their buildings while preserving their cultural value for future generations.

The Shinya Abe Family and Tashiro Island

The Shinya Abe family, whose trade name (yagō) is "Shinya" (臣屋), has deep roots in the fishing community of Tashiro Island. The estate, now owned by Hakkō Gyogyō Co., Ltd. (八興漁業株式会社), reflects the family's long involvement in the island's fishing industry. The main house, built in the Meiji period (1881), is a single-story hip-and-gable building of 178 square meters with a traditional floor plan that includes a large 15-tatami ōkami room with a Buddhist altar and Shinto shelf, a formal reception room, and a doma (earthen-floor work area). Together, the main house and the retirement house form an estate that speaks to the prosperity and cultural traditions of Tashiro Island's leading fishing families.

Tashiro Island: Japan's Famous Cat Island

Tashiro-jima (田代島) is a small island of about 2.92 square kilometers located off the Oshika Peninsula in Ishinomaki Bay, Miyagi Prefecture. It is part of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park and home to roughly 50 residents — and far more cats. The island is famous throughout Japan and increasingly worldwide as a "Cat Island" (Neko no Shima), where over 100 cats roam freely through the two settlements of Nitoda and Ōdomari.

The island's special relationship with cats dates back centuries. Local fishermen traditionally observed cat behavior to predict weather and fish catches, and they came to revere cats as guardians of good fortune and bountiful harvests from the sea. A small Neko Jinja (Cat Shrine) dedicated to the deity Miyori Daimyōjin stands in the center of the island, where visitors and fishermen alike pay their respects. Dogs are not allowed on the island, reflecting the deep cultural respect for the island's feline inhabitants.

Beyond its famous cats, Tashiro Island has a rich archaeological history. The Nitoda Shell Mound, designated as a Miyagi Prefecture historic site, contains artifacts from the Jōmon period — including pottery, stone tools, fishhooks, and harpoons made from bone and antler — evidence that people have been fishing these waters for thousands of years. The island also maintains the tradition of daimō-ami, a large-scale set-net fishing method with over 800 years of continuous practice.

Highlights and Things to See

Visiting the Nitoda settlement offers a chance to experience the authentic atmosphere of a traditional island fishing village. The narrow lanes winding between wooden houses, stone walls, and terraced hillsides create a landscape that feels remarkably unchanged by time. While the Shinya Abe family residence is a private property, the exterior of the retirement house with its distinctive bay windows and clapboard siding can be appreciated from the village pathways.

Other highlights on and around the island include the Cat Shrine (Neko Jinja), the island's spiritual heart where feline deities are honored; Manga Island, a unique lodging facility featuring lodges designed by manga artists; the Sanishi Observatory area on the western coast, offering stunning sunset views over Ishinomaki Bay; and the Nitoda Shell Mound, an archaeological site providing insight into the island's ancient past. For those interested in architecture, the traditional wooden buildings throughout both settlements offer a fascinating study in island vernacular design.

Practical Information for Visitors

Tashiro Island is accessible by ferry from Ishinomaki. The Ajishima Line operates services from the Ishinomaki Chūō Departure Point, with the journey to Nitoda Port taking approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Currently, there are three daily round trips, with additional services during the summer season (mid-July to mid-August). A one-way ticket costs approximately 1,230 yen.

Visitors should be aware that the island has very limited facilities. There are no convenience stores or supermarkets, so it is advisable to bring food and drinks from Ishinomaki. A few small shops and cafés, such as "Shima no Eki" (Island Station), operate on irregular schedules. There are no ATMs on the island, and most facilities accept only cash. Public restrooms are available near Nitoda Port.

When visiting, please observe local rules: feeding cats is prohibited (donations can be left in designated cat food boxes at the port), dogs may not be brought onto the island, and visitors should not enter private property. The island can be explored on foot in two to three hours, and rental bicycles are available at Manga Island during the open season (April to October).

The last ferry back to Ishinomaki departs Nitoda Port at approximately 15:30, so plan your visit accordingly. Ferry services may be cancelled in rough weather, so always check the schedule before traveling.