Shiotatsu

What it is

• A group of merchant houses in Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture.
• Prospered as a post town and river port on the Nagasaki Kaido.
• Selected as a National Important Preservation District in 2005.
• Became a governance base for the Hizen Hasuike Domain.

What to see

• White plaster-walled merchant houses called "Iguraya" line the streets.
• Edo period town planning, land divisions, and waterways are preserved.
• The Nishioka Family Residence is a large merchant house from 1855.
• Sugimitsu Pottery Store's main building and three storehouses.
• The former Shimomura Family Residence is an Important Cultural Property.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.