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At the southern tip of Sado Island lies a mysterious village. With each turn through its intricate alleyways, you’ll feel as if you’ve time-traveled to a port town from 150 years ago.
“Where am I?”
Have you lost your way through time, or just in the maze of streets? Either way, you’ll want to continue exploring these narrow passages barely wide enough for one person.
This village is called “Shukunegi.” During the Edo period, it flourished as a shipping port town. But what makes this place extraordinary isn’t just that it’s an old town turned tourist destination. The building techniques developed by the shipwrights of that era have been preserved intact to this day.
Shukunegi Village has a unique history and culture where shipwrights built houses.
As you venture deeper into the maze-like alleys, you’ll discover photo-worthy scenes at every turn, from triangular houses to Western-style post offices. With its quintessentially Japanese atmosphere, it has recently become a hidden gem among photography enthusiasts and lovers of retro architecture.
Let’s explore the highlights of Sado Island’s trending tourist destination, the “Shukunegi Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings”!
Shukunegi, located in the Ogi district of Sado City, is a port town that flourished in maritime shipping from the late Edo period (post-1750s) to the mid-Meiji period (1890s). Its unique townscape remains preserved as it was during its prosperous period and is now open to the public, attracting many visitors. This historical landscape has been designated as a national Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
The greatest charm of Shukunegi lies in its maze-like network of alleyways and the historic houses that line them. This town layout was carefully designed to make efficient use of limited space while protecting houses from strong sea winds. The roads are narrow, with many winding passages.
Traditional houses with weathered wooden walls line both sides of the alleys, with touches of greenery adding freshness to the landscape. The narrow alleys are sometimes barely wide enough for one person, requiring people to press against the walls to let others pass - a physical closeness that symbolizes the intimacy of this town.
Shukunegi faces the sea and endures harsh natural conditions, including salt-laden winds and strong gusts. This environment demanded sturdy buildings that could withstand these elements.
Meanwhile, the area’s thriving maritime industry meant there were many shipbuilding-related professionals, especially shipwrights.
These shipwrights’ excellent woodworking skills proved invaluable in creating sturdy and functional buildings!
By incorporating shipbuilding techniques into house construction, Shukunegi developed its own unique architectural style that prioritized durability and water resistance.
Most buildings in Shukunegi are surrounded by thick wooden plank walls to protect against wind, rain, and sea spray. These walls utilize shipwright techniques, resulting in sturdy and practical structures. Moreover, the black-painted wooden walls provide water resistance and anti-corrosion properties, creating a distinctive port town landscape.
The stone-weighted wooden shingle roof is a traditional roofing structure that uses thin wooden boards as roofing material, with stones placed on top to prevent them from being blown away by wind. This technique is particularly well-suited to high-wind areas like Sado Island, and the preservation of this method itself is considered valuable.
While every corner of Shukunegi is picture-worthy, there are some spots you absolutely must visit. Since the village is like a maze, make sure you don’t miss these highlights!
Yosute-koji is one of Shukunegi’s iconic stone-paved alleys. While the origin of its name is unclear, it was historically a main route connecting the sea and mountain areas of the village. It was particularly important as the path from the coast to the village’s shrines and temples, and tradition holds that during funerals, the spirits of the deceased would bid farewell to the village along this path.
Walking on these ancient stone pavements, one can’t help but reflect on the lives of those who walked here before.
With its incredible atmosphere, Yosute-koji is one of Shukunegi’s most notable pathways.
The former Shukunegi Post Office, built in 1921 (Taisho 10), is one of the few Western-style buildings in Shukunegi and symbolizes the modernization and prosperity of the era. The Ishizuka Gonbei family, who had succeeded in maritime shipping, ventured into postal services and pharmacy management, constructing this post office to commemorate the start of telegraph and telephone services.
The exterior features Western architectural elements, and despite being a wooden structure, it displays a modern design. The greenish window frames and distinctive wood textures evoke a sense of history while maintaining a warm atmosphere.
The old signboard near the entrance is another valuable historical element, reminiscent of the era’s ambiance. This retro feeling creates a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere.
The Triangle House is one of Shukunegi’s iconic buildings, perfectly adapted to its narrow plot of land. True to its name, it features a unique triangular shape and is also known as the “boat-shaped house.” This building was relocated from near Hamo Bridge after a flood in 1846.
The house’s shape was ingeniously designed to maximize limited land use, incorporating shipbuilding techniques to create a structure that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
From the front, it indeed resembles a ship’s bow. Throughout the building, you can appreciate the exceptional skills and wisdom of Shukunegi’s shipwrights.
It’s now open to the public (Adults: 300 yen, Junior high school and below: 150 yen, Infants: free), allowing visitors to closely observe the outstanding techniques and wisdom of the period’s shipwrights.
Seikuro’s House was the residence of a successful ship owner from the late Edo to Meiji periods, built in the mid-19th century.
The building uses premium woods like zelkova and single-log cedar, with luxurious details such as lacquered doors. This house, which showcases shipwright techniques throughout, symbolizes Shukunegi’s prosperity and wealth during that period. Its design also withstands harsh natural conditions, combining historical value with practicality.
The black-glossed wooden walls and dignified appearance eloquently tell the story of maritime shipping’s golden age.
This site is also open to the public (Adults: 400 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students: 200 yen), allowing visitors to experience the essence of the fine residential architecture created by Shukunegi’s wealthy merchants.
Built in 1958 (Showa 33), the Shukunegi Public Hall is a theater-style meeting facility. Constructed using materials from the old public hall built in 1921 (Taisho 10), it embodies the community’s spirit. Both its exterior and interior exude a Showa-era retro atmosphere, reminiscent of an old school… evoking nostalgic feelings. It’s a must-see for retro enthusiasts.
Recently reinforced for earthquake resistance and renovated with modern amenities, it now serves as a rest area and public restroom for tourists. Why not step inside and experience the Showa retro-style public hall for yourself?
This is the perfect spot to take in a panoramic view of Shukunegi. You can see the unique landscape of continuous stone-weighted roofs and the Japan Sea stretching beyond. While many people might overlook it, this observation point is not to be missed when visiting Shukunegi. The view of old houses, the sea, and the sky is spectacular.
Walking through the narrow alleys, you might pause to look up at the sky. The square patches of sky visible between the black-glossed wooden walls frame the view like paintings. The stone-weighted wooden shingle roofs stretch endlessly.
Surely we’re not the only ones captivated by these scenes. The shipwrights who once lived here must have gazed up at the same sky. Their techniques, preserved for over 150 years, continue to delight our eyes today.
This port town, once prosperous from maritime shipping, now quietly preserves its history. As a hidden gem of Sado Island, Shukunegi has gained popularity among photography enthusiasts and retro lovers. The number of visitors increases yearly, with both domestic and international tourists seeking authentic Japanese scenery.
There are few places left where you can experience Japan’s vanishing traditional landscapes so vividly. Step onto the stone pavements and experience for yourself this “town where you’ll want to get lost” - Shukunegi.
