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STORY #039

The Kitamae-Bune Sea Routes
Ports and Residences Built on the Dreams of Brave Seafarers

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STORY

The coastline along the Japan Sea is dotted with many port towns framed by beautiful mountains These seaside towns developed as ports of call along the Western Sea Circuit, a major shipping route connecting Osaka and Hokkaido via the Seto Inland Sea and Sea of Japan coast during the late Edo to Meiji periods.
Braving the rough seas, merchant Kitamae-bune shipowners amassed great wealth and prosperity, eventually building magnificent residences. In many towns, large merchant houses and ship-owner mansions stand along the main streets, while a maze of backstreets connect the rest of the town to the sea. Ema, (wooden votive tablets), painted with ship designs and ship models, have been dedicated at the shrines and temples along the route.
Many festivals as well celebrate distant ports and towns with melodic folk songs that connect the entire region.
The development of these unique ports of the Kitamae-bune shipping routes brought prosperity to many areas of the coast and continue to attract popular interest to this day.

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CULTURAL PROPERTIES

AREA

Hakodate City, Matsumae Town (Hokkaido), Ajigasawa Town, Fukaura Town (Aomori Prefecture), Akita City (Akita Prefecture), Sakata City (Yamagata Prefecture), Niigata City, Nagaoka City (Niigata Prefecture), Kaga City (Ishikawa Prefecture), Tsuruga City, Minami-Echizen City (Fukui Prefecture)

ACCESS

Hakodate City
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Tohoku・Hokkaido Shinkansen）～JR Hakodate-Hokuto Sta.～JR Hakodate Sta.
  • Airplane
    • Haneda Airport（Approx. 1hr20min）～Hakodate Airport（Bus Approx. 20min）～Hakodate Sta.
    • Nagoya Airport（Approx. 1hr20min）～Hakodate Airport（Bus Approx. 20min）～Hakodate Sta.
    • Osaka Airport（Approx. 1hr35min）～Hakodate Airport（Bus Approx. 20min）～Hakodate Sta.
Matsumae town
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Tohoku・Hokkaido Shinkansen）～JR Kikonai Sta.（Local Bus）～Matsumae town（Approx. 5hr30min）
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Kawaguchi IC(Tohoku Expressway)～Aomori IC～Aomoti Port（Ship）～Hakodate Port～Matsumae Town（Approx. 13hr）
  • Airplane
    • Haneda Airport（Approx. 1hr20min）～Hakodate Airport（Bus Approx. 20min）～JR Hakodate Sta.（Isaribi Line）～～JR Kikonai Sta.（Local Bus）～Matsumae town（Approx. 5hr10min）
  • Express Bus
    • From the Tokyo　JR Ueno Sta.～Aomoti Port（Ship）～Hakodate Port（Bus）～JR Hakodate Sta.（Isaribi Line）～～JR Kikonai Sta.（Local Bus）～Matsumae town（Approx. 18hr20min）
Ajigasawa Town
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Tohoku Shinkansen）～JR Shin-Aomori Sta.（Ou Main Line）～JR Kawabe Sta.（Gono Line）～JR Ajigasawa Sta.（Approx. 4hr40min）
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Akita Shinkansen）～JR Akita Sta.（Ou Main Line）～JR Higashi-Noshiro Sta.～JR Ajigasawa Sta.（Approx. 7hr）
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Kawaguchi IC(Tohoku Expressway)～Oowani-Hirosaki IC～Hirosaki City～Ajigasawa Town（Approx. 8hr）
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Kawaguchi IC(Tohoku Expressway)～Namioka IC（Tsugaru Expressway）～Goshogawara BP～Ajigasawa Town（Approx. 8hr）
  • Airplane
    • Shin-Chitose Airport～Aomori Airport（Approx. 45min）
    • Haneda Airport～Aomori Airport（Approx. 1h15min）
    • Itami Airport～Aomori Airport（Approx. 1h35min）
    • Nagoya(Komaki) Airport～Aomori Airport（Approx. 1h15min）
    • Aomori Airport～JR Shin-Aomori Sta.（Bus）～JR Ajigasawa Sta.（Approx. 2hr）
    • Aomori Airport～JR Hirosaki Sta.（Bus）～JR Ajigasawa Sta.（Approx. 2hr10min）
    • Aomori Airport（Car)～Ajigasawa Town（Approx. 1hr20min）
  • Express Bus
    • JR Tokyo Sta.～JR Aomori Sta.（Approx. 9hr40min）
    • JR Sendai Sta.～JR Aomori Sta.（Approx. 4hr50min）
Fukaura Town
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Tohoku Shinkansen）～JR Shin-Aomori Sta.（Gono Line）～JR Fukaura Sta.（Approx. 5hr30min）
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Tohoku Shinkansen）～JR TMorioka Sta.（Akitia Shinkansen）～JR Akita Sta.（Gono Line）～JR Fukaura Sta.（Approx. 6hr)
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Kawaguchi IC(Tohoku Expressway）～Namioka IC（Tohoku・Tsugaru Expressway）～Kashiwa IC（Tsugaru Expressway）～Fukaura Town（Approx. 9hr）
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Kawaguchi IC(Tohoku Expressway）～Kitakami JCT（Tohoku・Akita Expressway）～Noshiro-Higashi IC（Akita Expressway）～Fukaura Town（Approx. 9hr）
  • Airplane
    • Haneda Airport～Aomori Airport（Car）～Fukaura Town（Approx. 3hr30min）
  • Express Bus
    • From Tokyo　Shinjuku・Shibuya・Ikebukuro・Tokyo Sta.～Aomori Sta.（Approx. 9hr30min）
    • From Sendai～Aomori Sta.（Approx. 5hr）
Akita City
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Akita Shinkansen）～JR Akita Sta.（Approx. 3hr40min）
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Yamagata Shinkansen）～JR Shinjo Sta.（Ou Main Line)～JR Akita Sta.（Approx. 6hr）
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Joetsu Shinkansen）～JR Niigata Sta.（Uetsu Main Line）～～JR Akita Sta.（Approx. 5hr30min）
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Kawaguchi IC(Tohoku Expressway）～Kitakami JCT（Akita Expressway）～Akita-Chuo IC～Akita Town（Approx. 7hr30min）
  • Airplane
    • Haneda Airport～Akita Airport（Local Bus/Taxi）～JR Akita Sta.（Approx. 1hr40min）
  • Express Bus
    • From Tokyo　JR Shinjuku Sta.～JR Akita Sta.（Approx. 8hr30min）
    • From Sendai　JR Sendai Sta.～JR Akita Sta.（Approx. 3hr30min）
Sakata City
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Joetsu Shinkansen）～JR Niigata Sta.（Uetsu Main Line）～JR Sakata Sta.（Approx. 4hr）
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Yamagata Shinkansen）～JR Shinjo Sta.（Rikuusai Line）～JR Sakata Sta.（Approx. 4hr）
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Kawaguchi IC(Tohoku Expressway）～Murata JCT（Yamagata Expressway）～Sakata IC～Sakata Town（Approx. 6hr）
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Nerima IC(Kanetsu Expressway）～Nagaoka JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Niigata-Chuo JCT（Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway）～Asahi-Mahoroba IC（Route 7）～Sakata Town（Approx. 6hr）
  • Airplane
    • Haneda Airport～Shonai Airport（Local Bus/Taxi）～JR Sakata Sta.（Approx. 1hr30min）
  • Express Bus
    • From JR Tokyo　Shinjuku・Shibuya・Ikebukuro・Tokyo Sta.～JR Sakata Sta.（Approx. 9hr）
    • From Sendai　JR Sendai Sta.～JR Sakata Sta.（Approx. 3hr）
    • From Osaka　JR Osaka・Kyoto Sta.～JR Sakata Sta.（Approx. 12hr30min）
Niigata City
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Joetsu Shinkansen）～JR Niigata Sta.（Approx. 2hr）
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Nerima IC(Kanetsu Expressway）～Nagaoka JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Niigata-Nishi IC（Approx. 3hr30min）
  • Airplane
    • Narita Airport～Niigata Airport（Local Bus/Taxi）～Niigata Sta.（Approx. 1hr30min）
    • Osaka(Itami) Airport～Niigata Airport（Local Bus/Taxi）～Niigata Sta.（Approx. 1hr30min）
  • Express Bus
    • From Tokyo　JR Ikebukuro Sta.～JR Niigata Sta.（Approx. 5hr20min）
    • From Tokyo　Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal ～JR Niigata Sta.（Approx. 7hr）
    • From Osaka　Osaka Umeda～JR Niigata Sta.（Approx. 9hr30min）
Nagaoka City
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Joetsu Shinkansen）～JR Nagaoka Sta.（Approx. 1hr30min）
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Nerima IC(Kanetsu Expressway）～Nagaoka IC（Approx. 3hr）
  • Express Bus
    • From Tokyo　JR Shinjuku・Ikebukuro Sta.～JR Nagaoka Sta.（Approx. 4hr）
    • From Osaka JR Osaka・Kyoto Sta.～JR Nagaoka Sta.（Approx. 9hr）
Kaga City
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Hokuriku Shinkansen）～JR Kanazawa Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Kaga-Onsen Sta.（Approx. 3hr10min）
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Tokaido Shinkansen）～JR Maibara Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Kaga-Onsen Sta.（Approx. 3hr50min）
    • JR Osaka Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Kaga-Onsen Sta.（Approx. 2hr20min）
    • JR Nagoya Sta.（Tokaido Shinkansen）～JR Maibara Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Kaga-Onsen Sta.（Approx. 2hr10min）
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Nerima IC(Kanetsu Expressway）～Fujioka JCT～Joetsu JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Katayamazu IC～Kaga Town（Approx. 5hr40min）
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to　Kawaguchi IC(Tomei Expressway）～Komaki JCT（Meishin Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Kaga IC～Kaga Town（Approx. 5hr35min）
    • From Osaka　Toyonaka IC(Meishin Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Kaga IC～Kaga Town（Approx. 3hr）
    • From Nagoya　Komaki IC(Meishin Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Kaga IC～Kaga Town（Approx. 2hr30min）
  • Airplane
    • Haneda Airport～Komatsu Airport（Local Bus/Taxi）～JR Kaga-Onsen Sta.
  • Express Bus
    • From Tokyo　Hachioji・Shibuya～JR Kaga-Onsen Sta.（Approx. 9hr30min）
Tsuruga City
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Tokaido Shinkansen）～JR Maibara Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Tsuruga Sta.（Approx. 3hr）
    • JR Nagoya Sta.（Tokaido Shinkansen）～JR Maibara Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Tsuruga Sta.（Approx. 1hr30min）
    • JR Osaka Sta. / Kyoto Sta.（Kosei Line）～JR Tsuruga Sta.（Approx. 1hr20min））
  • Car
    • From Nagoya　Komaki IC(Meishin Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Kaga IC～Tsuruba IC（Approx. 1h10min)
    • From Osaka　Suita IC(Meishin Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Kaga IC～Tsuruba IC（Approx. 1h50min)
    • From Kyoto　Kyoto-Higashi IC(Meishin Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Kaga IC～Tsuruba IC（Approx. 1h20min)
  • Express Bus
    • From Tokyo　JR Tokyo Sta.～Tsuruga IC（Approx. 7h)
    • From Nagoya　Meitetsu Bus Center ～Tsuruga IC（Approx. 2h)
    • From Osaka　Osaka Sta.～Tsuruga IC（Approx. 2h40min)
  • Ship
    • Tomakomai-Higashi Port～Tsuruga Port（Approx. 20h)
    • Akita Port～Tsuruga Port（Approx. 21h)
    • Niigata Port～Tsuruga Port（Approx. 13h)
Minami-Echizen Town
  • Train
    • JR Tokyo Sta.（Tokaido Shinkansen）～JR Maibara Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Tsuruga Sta.～JR Imajou Sta.・JR Nanjou Sta.（Approx. 4hr20min）
    • JR Osaka Sta.（Kosei Line）～JR Tsuruga Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Imajou Sta.・JR Nanjou Sta.（Approx. 1hr50min）
    • JR Nagoya Sta.（Tokaido Main Line）～JR Tsuruga Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Imajou Sta.・JR Nanjou Sta.（Approx. 2hr10min）
    • JR Kanazawa Sta.（Hokuriku Main Line）～JR Takefu Sta.～JR Imajou Sta.・JR Nanjou Sta.（Approx. 1hr30min））
  • Car
    • From the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Tanimahi JCT(Kanetsu Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Tsuruba IC・Imajou IC・Nanjo Smart IC・Takefu IC（Approx. 5hr）
    • From Osaka Suita IC（Meishin Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Tsuruba IC・Imajou IC・Nanjo Smart IC・Takefu IC（Approx. 2hr20min）
    • From Nagoya　Nagoya IC（Tomei Expressway/ Meishin Expressway）～Maibara JCT（Hokuriku Expressway）～Tsuruba IC・Imajou IC・Nanjo Smart IC・Takefu IC（Approx. 1hr40min）
    • From Kanazawa　Kanazawa-Nishi IC（Hokuriku Expressway）～Tsuruba IC・Imajou IC・Nanjo Smart IC・Takefu IC（Approx. 1hr10min）

CONTACT

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  • Hakodate City Tourism Division
  • TEL：0138-21-3453
  • Matsumae Town Commerce and Tourism Division
  • TEL：0139-42-2275　ext.237
  • Ajigasawa Town Commerce and Tourism Division
  • TEL：0173-72-2111
  • Fukaura Town Tourism Division
  • TEL：0173-74-4412
  • Akita City Tourism Promotion Division
  • TEL：018-888-5602
  • Sakata City Tourism Promotion Division
  • TEL：0234-26-5759
  • Niigata City International Tourism Division
  • TEL：025-226-2612
  • Nagaoka City Tourism Planning Division
  • TEL：0258-39-2344
  • Kaga City Tourism Exchange Division
  • TEL：0761-72-7988
  • Tsuruga City Tourism Promotion Division
  • TEL：0770-22-8128
  • Minami Echizen Town Tourism Planning Division
  • TEL：0778-47-8002

STORY

The Kitamae-Bune Sea Routes

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