The Oldest Dated Townhouse in Wakayama
The Former Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga Family Residence Main House (旧橋本本陣池永家住宅主屋) is an Edo-period two-storey timber townhouse, built before 1731, fronting the old Yamato highway in Hashimoto, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, which in 1998 was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a tiled roof and a building area of 150 square metres; it was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
The Agency calls it the oldest townhouse of known date in Wakayama Prefecture.
Structure
According to the Agency, it faces the highway with the Kinokawa River behind. It is a hip-and-gable townhouse entered on the long side, with a low upper storey, roofed in traditional tile.
A ridge-end tile inscription shows that the roof, originally thatched, was re-covered in tile in 1752.
What to Look For
Notice the long front facing the road and the large tiled hip-and-gable roof. The low upper storey preserves an early form of Edo townhouse.
The prefecture notes that the 1752 inscription on the ridge-end tile marks it as one of the oldest townhouses in the prefecture.
Visiting
It is a private residence, and no official information on interior access could be found. The exterior can be seen from the road.
The history of the honjin and the layout of the whole residence are on the group page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Wakayama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Former Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga Family Residence Main House
- [ Koyasan & Kumano Kodo World Heritage Trails ]
Q&A
- When was the main house built?
- Before 1731.
- When was the roof tiled?
- In 1752, replacing thatch, according to a ridge-end tile inscription.
- Why is the main house important?
- It is the oldest townhouse of known date in Wakayama, according to the Agency.
- What form does the main house take?
- A hip-and-gable townhouse entered on the long side, with a low upper storey and tile roof.
- Where is the main house?
- Fronting the old Yamato highway, with the Kinokawa River behind.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga Family Residence Main House (旧橋本本陣池永家住宅主屋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-80-1 Hashimoto, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/10/9 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Two-storey timber, tiled roof, building area 150 square metres |
| Owner | Private owner |
| Public Access | No official visitor information found |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Ikenaga Residence Main House (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00000885
- Wakayama Prefecture: Former Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga Residence (Japanese)
- https://wakayama-bunkazai.jp/bunkazai/bunkazai_71/
Last verified: 2026.09.28
