A historical building that embodies the spirit of commerce from the Edo to Meiji periods
The Old Kaneko Family House is a valuable building that reflects the history from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period. This residence was the former home of the Kaneko family, who ran a pawnshop and secondhand clothing business in the late Edo period, and later established a wholesale business for fabrics and cotton and linen textiles in the early Meiji period. The building continued to operate as a business until 1982 (Showa 57) and was donated to Akita City in 1996 (Heisei 8). In 1997 (Heisei 9), it was designated as a tangible cultural property of Akita City.
The Old Kaneko Family House consists of the main house and a storehouse, and it strongly retains the architectural style of townhouses from the late Edo period. Notably, the storehouse (uchigura), built at the end of the Edo period, offers a glimpse of the fire prevention measures of the time, such as the rainwater jars placed on the roof in preparation for fires. Additionally, the interior recreates the storefront from the early Showa period, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of commerce from that era.
