The Former Higashihamaguchi Family Residence is a historic mansion in Hirokawa Town, Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture. Originally the residence of a wealthy soy sauce wholesaling family, the buildings are believed to date back to around 1707, during the Edo period (1603–1868).
Today, the residence is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The extensive complex preserves buildings that were constructed and expanded over several centuries, providing a remarkable glimpse into the lives of a prosperous merchant family from the Edo period through the Meiji period (1868–1912).
The grounds include the main residence and formal reception rooms from the Edo period, several storehouses built during the Meiji period, and the distinctive three-story tower known as the Gyofuro. Although these buildings were constructed in different periods, they form a harmonious historic complex that conveys approximately 300 years of Japanese architectural and social history.
The history of the Higashihamaguchi family can be traced back to the end of the Kamakura period. The family originally belonged to the samurai class before entering the Buddhist priesthood after the Onin War.
Over the centuries, the family gradually became involved in commercial activities, including maritime transportation and soy sauce brewing. During the Edo period, the family accumulated considerable wealth through the soy sauce industry and became an influential presence in Hiromura, the area that is now Hirokawa Town.
The family also served as local village headmen and played an important role in the development of the community. Members of the family were involved in efforts to protect the village from natural disasters, including the construction of the Hiromura Seawall together with Hamaguchi Goryo.
The history of the residence is closely connected with the history of natural disasters in Hirokawa. In 1707, the Hoei Earthquake generated a devastating tsunami that caused extensive destruction in Hiromura.
Following the disaster, the first generation of the family, Hamaguchi Kichiuemon, rebuilt the family’s main residence on higher ground. This reconstruction marked the beginning of the present-day Higashihamaguchi family residence.
The family and the local community subsequently experienced other major disasters, including the 1854 Ansei-Nankai Earthquake and tsunami. Traces of these disasters remain visible in the historic buildings.
One particularly valuable feature is the record of tsunami water levels marked on a pillar. Such physical evidence provides a direct reminder of how high the water reached and preserves the memory of past disasters for future generations.
For visitors, these marks offer a powerful connection to history. Rather than learning about a tsunami only through written records, it is possible to see evidence of its impact within an actual historic residence.
One of the greatest attractions of the Former Higashihamaguchi Family Residence is the way buildings from different periods survive together within a single property. The complex allows visitors to observe how Japanese architecture and lifestyles changed from the Edo period to the Meiji period.
The main residence is the oldest surviving building in the complex. It is believed to have been constructed during the Hoei era of the Edo period and is a two-story wooden townhouse.
One of its most distinctive features is the traditional tsushi-nikai, a low second floor commonly found in Edo-period merchant houses. These low upper floors were generally used for storage rather than as full living spaces.
The design is primarily practical, but details such as wooden lattice windows and carefully planned openings for natural light demonstrate the ingenuity of traditional Japanese architecture.
The Hon-zashiki, or formal reception building, is believed to have been constructed around 1814, during the late Edo period. It features a prestigious irimoya-style hipped-and-gabled roof and was used to receive important guests.
Inside are spaces including a Buddhist altar room, a tea room, and a formal shoin-style reception room. The building possesses a level of refinement comparable to the residences of samurai families.
Intricately designed ranma transoms, tokonoma alcoves, and gold-leaf decorations add an elegant character to the interior. Despite its luxurious details, the overall atmosphere remains calm and sophisticated, reflecting the wealth and status of the Higashihamaguchi family.
The most distinctive structure on the property is the Gyofuro, a three-story wooden tower built around 1908, during the Meiji period.
Its unusual design and decorative details make it one of the symbolic features of the residence. The tower demonstrates how Japanese architecture evolved during the Meiji period, when traditional building techniques increasingly incorporated new ideas and styles.
From the third floor, visitors can enjoy views across the surrounding town and toward the sea. The building is also associated with notable visitors who are said to have stayed or gathered there.
The Gyofuro had an additional significance as a potential tsunami evacuation structure. Its elevated floors provided a place of refuge in a community that had experienced devastating coastal disasters throughout its history.
Several traditional kura storehouses remain on the property, including the Shin-gura, Kome-gura, and Bunko storehouses. These sturdy structures supported the family’s household and commercial activities.
Traditional storehouses were designed to protect valuable goods, documents, and other possessions from fire, moisture, and other threats. Their thick earthen walls and robust construction also provide an excellent example of traditional Japanese building technology.
Together with the main residence, formal rooms, and Gyofuro, these storehouses create a detailed picture of how a wealthy merchant family lived and conducted business over several generations.
The history of the Former Higashihamaguchi Family Residence cannot be separated from the history of disaster prevention in Hirokawa. The town has experienced repeated tsunami disasters, and local architecture and town planning developed in response to this continuing threat.
The residence itself was rebuilt on higher ground following the devastating tsunami of 1707. The surrounding town also developed routes and structures designed to help residents reach safer elevations during emergencies.
One important historic route is the Daido, a road leading toward higher ground. It played an important role as an evacuation route and illustrates how disaster preparedness became integrated into the layout of the community.
Walking through the area today allows visitors to see how the town’s architecture and streets reflect centuries of experience with earthquakes and tsunamis.
The nearby Hiromura Seawall is another important part of Hirokawa’s disaster-prevention heritage. It was constructed after the devastating 1854 tsunami under the leadership of Hamaguchi Goryo.
The massive earthen embankment stretches for approximately 600 meters and stands about 5 meters high. Hamaguchi Goryo used his own resources to finance its construction while employing many local residents who had lost their livelihoods in the disaster.
The project therefore served two purposes: it created a powerful defense against future tsunamis while also providing employment and economic support for disaster victims.
Hamaguchi Goryo is famous in Japan for the story known as “Inamura no Hi,” or “The Fire of Rice Sheaves.” According to the story, he set fire to rice sheaves to warn villagers of an approaching tsunami and guide them toward safety.
His actions after the disaster went far beyond the immediate rescue. He supported the reconstruction of homes and livelihoods and recognized the need to prepare the community for future disasters.
The construction of the Hiromura Seawall represents this long-term approach to disaster prevention. Together, the seawall and the Higashihamaguchi residence demonstrate how the people of Hirokawa repeatedly adapted their community in response to the threat of tsunamis.
The Former Higashihamaguchi Family Residence is a particularly rewarding destination for visitors interested in Japanese architecture, merchant history, traditional culture, and disaster prevention.
On certain occasions, including guided public openings held in November, visitors may be able to explore parts of the residence that are not normally open to the public. Guided tours by local storytellers provide additional insight into the history of the family, the architecture, and the area’s experience with tsunamis.
Because public access and opening dates can vary, visitors should check the latest local information before planning a visit.
The residence is located near other important historic sites, including the Hiromura Seawall, shrines, temples, and other places associated with the history of Hirokawa.
Exploring these sites together offers a deeper understanding of how the community experienced disasters, recovered from them, and developed traditions of disaster preparedness.
Address: 1292-1 Hiro, Hirokawa Town, Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture
Nearest station: JR Yuasa Station, approximately 5 minutes by taxi.
Travelers coming from Osaka or Kyoto can conveniently reach the area using the Kuroshio limited express train, which connects major destinations in the Kansai region with Wakayama.
The Former Higashihamaguchi Family Residence is much more than a beautifully preserved historic house. Its buildings tell the story of a prosperous merchant family, the development of the soy sauce industry, the changing architectural styles of Japan, and the repeated struggle of a coastal community against devastating tsunamis.
The coexistence of Edo-period buildings, Meiji-period structures, traditional storehouses, and the remarkable Gyofuro creates an unusually rich architectural landscape. At the same time, the tsunami marks preserved within the property provide a powerful reminder that history is not only found in books—it can also remain visible in the buildings and landscapes around us.
For travelers exploring Wakayama, a visit to the Former Higashihamaguchi Family Residence offers an opportunity to discover a lesser-known but deeply meaningful part of Japanese history. By combining this residence with the Hiromura Seawall and other historic sites in Hirokawa, visitors can gain a unique understanding of community resilience, traditional architecture, and Japan’s long history of disaster preparedness.