Shiokoshi-minato, which spreads out to the Sea of Japan against a backdrop of Mt.Toriumi, is a general term for Oma, Koma, and Wanibuchi. 12 ships can be anchored in Oma, which is the largest among all of them, and many burge vessels connecting the ship and the land were used. The mooring pile for ships still remains off coast, reminiscent of the past. Rice was transported from Shiokoshi Port to Osaka and Matsumae, and salt, marine products, sugar and textiles were simultaneously carried in. In addition to Shiokoshi Port, Kitamae-bune docked at Konoura, Mitsusawa, and Hirasawa in Nikaho City. There are 11 Shinto shrines around Shiokoshi Port and Funa-ema remain at each shrine.
ports of call
Cultural Properties of Nikaho City
Documents relating to Kitamae-bune, Kisakata Folk Museum
"Shihon-chakushoku-Kisakata-zu byobu (Folding screen with color painting of Kisakata on paper)" which depicts Kitamae-bune and Shiokoshi-minato (Shiokoshi Port), “Yotsume--ikari (grapnel anchor)" used by Kitamae-bune, and other documents
A picture of Yuri Southern Coast
A picture of the southern part of the Yurihonjo district, which depicts Konoura-minato (Konoura Port), Mitsumori-minato (Mitsumori Port), and Hirasawa-minato (Hirasawa Port).
The mooring pile off coast
The stone pile used to anchor Kitamae-bune offshore
A group of funa-ema around Shiokoshi-minato (Shiokoshi Port)
About 130 funa-ema dedicated by the shipowners and sailors of Kitamae-bune. The funa-ema of "Eikyumaru" is the oldest in Akita Prefecture.
Ema of Kotohira Shrine
A mage-ema (a votive tablet of cut-off topknots) that the sailors of Kitamae-bune dedicated prayers to for the safety of voyages.
Sanno Torii and Sanno Monkey Statue at Hie Shrine
A torii donated by Nakatsuya, who was a small-cargo vessel wholesaler of Kitamae-bune, alongside a pair of monkey statues dedicated by the boatman Iguchi.
Hiraizumi Honpo
A brewer of sake that made their wealth through the small-cargo vessel wholesaler of Kitamae-bune and the brewery industry. Valuable documents relating to Kitamae-bune remain.
Bentenmaru at Koshoji Temple
A model of a typical Kitamae-bune in the early Meiji period. Stories say it was gifted when the chief priest of the Kosho Temple rescued a boat chartered by the Akita clan.
A Directional Stone in Nikaho City
A stone in Hiyoriyama, with directions engraved. The sailors of Kitamae-bune forecast the weather before departing.
