THE TOWNSCAPE OF MAMEDAMACHI / Hita City

Hita City has long been known as ‘Riverside Hita’ due to the plentiful supply of water sourced from the surrounding mountains and the Chikugo River that flows through the city. Hita City was established as a vital transport hub and has a rich cultural and economic history.

The town of Mameda that exists within the city, flourished during the Edo period as a ‘Ten–ryo’, a territory directly governed by the shogunate. The picturesque scenery of white–walled storehouses and wooden townhouses feels as if you’re stepping back into the world of a period drama. The townscape is beautifully preserved and has been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government.

Surprisingly people still live and work in some of these historical buildings, such as the Kusano Family Residence, Kun–cho Sake Brewery and Nippon Gankan Building. Among the various historical sites, you can also find cafés and galleries situated in compact but nicely renovated old townhouses. A variety of festivals add to the lively atmosphere of the town, including the ‘Hita Gion Festival’, recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site, and the ‘Sennen Akari Festival’ (directly translated as lights for a thousand years festival) which illuminates the townscape.