Sakata was the largest port of the Shonai clan during the Edo period, but there are also ports for Kitamae-bune in Tsuruoka City where was a castle town. Although the gate from Echigo, Nezugaseki, is a small bay, there was a guard station of the clan and Kamo on the north was an important port for unloading everyday commodities for the castle town, and small-cargo vessel wholesalers faced the bay. The boatman of Kitamae-bune visited an ancient temple, Zenpoji, on the way from Kamo to Tsuruoka to worship. At the Chido Museum in the center of the city, there is Kitamae-bune section where a model of a Japanese ship and funa-ema are displayed.
ports of call
Cultural Properties of Tsuruoka City
Townscape around Kamo Port
The townscape of Kamo where the town layout at the time that prospered because of Kitamae-bune business has been well preserved
The Ishinazaka Family House and Warehouse
Kitamae-bune shipowner's house and warehouse
Hanging bell of the Jozenji Temple
A hanging bell donated by merchants who made a fortune through Kitamae-bune. It was transported by Kitamae-bune from Sakoshi (currently Ako City).
Gohyaku Rakando (an arhats hall) of the Zenpoji Temple
A hall built by donations of merchants who made a fortune through Kitamae-bune. 531 Buddha statues which are housed in the hall were also made by the donation.
Materials relating to Kitamae-bune of the Chido Museum collections
The model of the ship, funa-ema, four-jaw anchor, pass for departing ships, license plate relic, funadansu (a chest for ships), etc. that dedicated by Kitamae-bune shipowner
