A Taisho Pawnshop in Karatsu
Machiya Cafe Zen (町家カフェぜん) is a two-storey timber former pawnshop and house of 1925 in Bozumachi, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on April 25, 2014. It stands west of the old castle town of Karatsu, facing east onto the street (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a two-storey timber building with a tiled roof and a building area of 163 square metres, renovated in 1935 and 2012; registration number 41-0094, with no owner listed. It also appears in Karatsu City's guide to designated cultural properties (Karatsu City).
Pawnshop and Home
According to the Agency, the southern half was originally the pawnshop and the northern half the family's living quarters, with the pledge store on the upper floor of the southern half.
It is registered under the name Machiya Cafe Zen and keeps the look of a Taisho pawnshop in the old castle town (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
Machiya Cafe Zen was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes how well it shows the architectural features of a pawnshop of its day.
What to Look For
The pledge store on the upper floor of Machiya Cafe Zen has small openings for protection against fire and theft, and its exterior is sealed in mortar (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Copper sheeting covers the fittings and the beam ends (Agency for Cultural Affairs): the measures taken to keep pledged goods safe from fire and burglary show clearly on the outside.
Visiting Machiya Cafe Zen
Machiya Cafe Zen is used as a café, so you can go inside as a customer. Check opening days and hours with the café. The address is 552-5 Bozumachi, Karatsu City.
Q&A
- When was the Machiya Cafe Zen building built?
- In 1925, renovated in 1935 and 2012 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was Machiya Cafe Zen originally?
- A pawnshop in the southern half with living quarters in the northern half (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is special about the pledge store of Machiya Cafe Zen?
- Small openings, mortar-sealed walls and copper-clad fittings against fire and theft (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can you visit Machiya Cafe Zen?
- It is used as a café; you can go inside as a customer.
- When was Machiya Cafe Zen registered?
- On April 25, 2014.
Basic Information
| Name | Machiya Cafe Zen (former Pawnshop) (町家カフェぜん) |
|---|---|
| Location | 552-5 Bozumachi, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2014/4/25 (Heisei 26) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, 2 storeys, tiled roof, building area 163 square metres |
| Owner | Not listed in the national record |
| Public Access | Operating as a café (check hours with the café) |
References
- Machiya Cafe Zen (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010073
- Designated cultural properties (Karatsu City)
- https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/manabee/kyoiku/kyoiku/inkai/bunkazai/bunkazaihogo/siteibunkazaisyoukai.html
Last verified: 2026.10.09