Fukura with two deep coves side by side, on the west coast of the Noto Peninsula, was designated as an official port of call when the Edo Shogunate pioneered a westward route. It was a great port of refuge since the cove was calm even if the open sea was stormy.
The tip of the plateau overlooking the cove is Hiyoriyama to see the weather off the coast, and there are a former Fukura Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse extant in Japan, built in 1858, the directional stone, and the monument of Japanese traditional song “Fukura Izumo bushi”.
Many funa-ema (votive tablets) are displayed inside the Kompira Shrine on the plateau. Among them, the highlights are the ships that survived the stormy sea, the three-dimensional ships, funa-ema with a very unusual pattern such as the pictures of squid and octopus.
wind waiting port
Cultural Properties of Shikamachi
Former Fukura Lighthouse
The oldest wooden western style lighthouse remaining in Japan which used to be a marker for Kitamae-bune.
Hiyoriyama
The place where the sailors of Kitamae-bune forecasted the weather before departure.
A directional stone (stone-made pelorus)
A directional stone, which the sailors of Kitamae-bune used to forecast the wind direction and tide flow before departing, at Hiyoriyama.
A group of materials relating to Kitamae-bune
Materials relating to Kitamae-bune, such as “Passenger Vessel Book of Sadoya”, ”Koshimaki Jizo”, ”A four-jaw anchor”, ”Gokurakuzaka”, and “Dragon-shaped Woodcarving of the Kompira Shrine Haiden Kohai (roof built over the steps leading up to a temple building) ” exist.
A group of votive funa-ema
Funa-ema dedicated by Kitamae-bune shipowners to pray for maritime safety.
Meguri (mooring hole)
The stone that connected the painter of the ship when Kitamae-bune moored (made by carving a hole in a rock).
Fukura Festival
The festival of the Sarutahiko Shrine to pray for maritime safety of Kitamae-bune. Kaijotogyo, fancy costume parade, and teodori dance strongly retain the remnants of the time when Kitamae-bune was popular.
