Enjoy safflower culture
Former Abe Family Residence
Along with the former Horigome Family Residence (Safflower Museum building), the Former Abe Family Residence is a representative house of wealthy farmers in the Kahoku area.
Beginning with its unique fire watchman’s box at the entrance and encompassing board fence, the residence contains within its spacious 1,300 tsubo (4,297 m2) grounds a main house, storehouse, and annex, giving us a sense of the family’s luxurious lifestyle in those days. The oldest building, the main house, was built in 1844, and the annex in the rear was built during the Taisho period (1912-1926); the external appearances of the various structures dating from the Edo Period through to the Taisho Period have been preserved as-is, making them important historical properties.
| Address | 889 Yachisawabata, Kahoku Town, Nishimurayama County, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Opening hours | Not open to the general public (may be opened specially during the following periods) ・Early April (during the Yachi Doll Festival) ・Early July (during the Safflower Festival) |
| Fees | Free of charge |
| Car parking | None available |
| Barrier-free facilities | |
| Inquiries | [Lifelong Learning Department, Kahoku Town Board of Education] TEL:0237-71-1111 FAX:0237-71-1110 |
| Access | [Car] Approx. 25 minutes from Sagae Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway Approx. 20 minutes from Higashine Interchange on the Tohoku-Chuo Expressway [JR Ou Main Line] Approx. 25 minutes from Sakuranbo Higashine Station [Taxi] Approx. 20 minutes from Yamagata Airport |
Recommended points/experiences
The residence is characterized by its unique fire watchman’s box at the entrance, which doubles as a guardhouse, and the magnificent house has a rare construction for a farmer’s home during the Edo Period, indicating the wealth and prosperity of the Abe Family in those days.
The entire residence is specially opened to the general public every year during the Dolls Festival in April and Safflower Festival in July, so you can enjoy both the festivals and the residence’s old-time charm when you visit at these times.
Access from Yama-dera
[JR Senzan Line]
Yamadera Station ⇒ Yamagata Station (approx. 20 minutes)
[JR Ou Main Line]
Yamagata Station ⇒Sakuranbo Higashine Station (approx. 30 minutes)
[Car]
Sakuranbo Higashine Station→ Former Abe Family Residence (approx. 20 minutes)
[Walking]
Kahoku-cho Safflower Museum→ Former Abe Family Residence (approx. 1 minute)
Google Map
Nearby site/facility information
The surrounding Sawabata area prospered due to wealthy farming families such as the Abe and Horigome families. Near the Former Abe Family Residence is the Safflower Museum (former Horigome Family Residence ) where important materials related to safflower culture are on display. The Safflower Festival is held in early July, when it is possible to view safflowers in full bloom around the museum and surrounding areas. At the museum, you can also try your hand at benizome dyeing of a handkerchief.
| Restaurants, Eateries | http://www.town.kahoku.yamagata.jp/1814.html |
| Hotels, Japanese-style inns | http://www.hinanoyu.com/ |