A Concrete Wall in a Village of Wood and Earth
The outer wall encloses the north side and part of the east side of the former Fujii estate. It runs nearly 114 meters and is built largely of concrete, with stone reserved for the base and the corner posts. On the north face stands the main gate, a stone gateway fitted with iron doors.
This was the outward face the estate presented to the village. Fujii Hikoshiro (1876-1956), the Omi merchant who built the compound, travelled abroad and kept an eye on new materials and methods. A concrete perimeter wall was a modern choice for its time, around 1934.
Registration and Value
The outer wall was registered on 5 November 1997, as number 25-0015. It is valued for what it shows about its period.
In a village where board fences and earthen walls were the norm, a concrete wall carrying a stone gate stood apart. The listing treats it as a marker of an era when new industrial materials were reaching even a rural merchant town, without erasing the older masonry used at the base and corners.
What to Look For
Come to the north side to see the stone gate with its iron doors, the formal entrance to the whole estate. Compare the outer wall's concrete with the timber inner wall a short distance away, and the estate's division between a modern public front and a traditional private interior becomes plain.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Shiga
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Gokasho Town History and Folklore Museum (former Fujii
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Q&A
- What is the outer wall made of?
- Mostly concrete, with stone at the base and corner posts, running about 114 meters.
- What is special about it?
- In a village of board and earthen walls, a long concrete wall with a stone gate was unusual and modern for its time.
- Where is the main gate?
- On the north face: a stone gateway fitted with iron doors.
- When was it registered?
- 5 November 1997, number 25-0015.
- Can visitors approach it?
- Yes, it forms the outer boundary of the museum grounds and is seen on arrival.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Fujii Residence (Gokasho History and Folklore Museum), Outer Wall |
|---|---|
| Location | 681 / 681-2 Miyasho-cho, Higashiomi, Shiga |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property; registered 5 Nov 1997 (no. 25-0015) |
| Structure | Stone and concrete, total length 113.9 m; stone gate posts and iron doors attached |
| Date | About 1934 |
| Owner | Higashiomi City |
| Access | Outer boundary of the museum grounds; open approx. 10:00-16:30, Mondays and some days closed |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Properties Database — Fujii Residence Outer Wall
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00000355
- Higashiomi Tourism Association — Fujii Hikoshiro Residence
- https://www.higashiomi.net/media/miru/a150
- Shiga Tourism Information — Gokasho Omi Merchant House
- https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/1011/
Last verified: 2026.07.04