Karo is a port town located at the mouth of the Sea of Japan, where the Chiyogawa River, which flows north to south from in the central part of the Tottori Plain, and the Koyama River, which flows from the Koyama Pond, merge. It has long been regarded as a strategic point of marine traffic connecting the Sea of Japan, Kokufu and Tottori Castle. The names of 17 cargo ship merchants, who mainly operated out of Karo, are engraved on the stone lanterns in Karo Shrine, including Omiya, Kiya, Miseya, Hamaya, Akisatoya, Shioya, Shioya, Yuya, Ikumiya, Kumotsuya, and Amishiya.
ports of call
shipowners’ settlement
Cultural Properties of Tottori City
Karo Shrine
This is a Shinto shrine in Karo, where many Kitamae-bune shipowners lived together. Onomichi masonry lanterns, funa-ema, boat models, anchors, and other items are dedicated here.
A picture of Karo Port, Inshu Takakusa-gun
This is a picture of Karo Port, which was the entrance to the Tottori Castle town in the end of the Edo period. It shows that large ships such as Kitamae-bune were anchored here.
Spring Festival Event of Karo Shrine
Karo Shrine's grand festival is help once every two years, including two floats (from Tenpo 4th) that are modeled after Kitamae-bune at a 1/5 scale.
Kamikoji Shrine
This is a shrine located in Hiyoriyama. The components of the torii made by Onomichi masons remain.
The town layout of Karo Port
A port town where Kitamae-bune shipowners lived together. The town was layed out so that most of the alleys head toward the sea, which has been well preserved.
Torigashima
A mooring site for Kitamae-bune that entered and departed from the Port of Karo. A place where goods were loaded and unloaded.
A picture of Ketagoori-Ashizaki-Natsudomariryoura-Minato, owned by the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Japan
A picture of the Edo period depicting Ashizaki (current Aoya-cho, Tottori City) that prospered through Kitamae-bune.
Votive goods of Minato Shrine
A Shinto shrine in Amagasaki where Kitamae-bune shipowners lived together. All-night lights, Koma-inu (guard dog statue), and boat-shaped portable shrine remain.
Townscape of Ashizaki
A port town with a line of eaves that belong to Kitamae-bune shipowners’ houses called Hachikenya. The town layout as a shipowner's village has been well preserved.
Tsudashi Alley
An aisle carrying goods unloaded from or loaded onto Kitamae-bune.
