facebook twitter instagram Line

The birthplace of Japan Red

Bitchu Fukiya, a town of bengara and copper

The overall appearance of the townscape of Fukiya, which flourished thanks to its copper mine from the early part of the Edo period, is unified by the red ocher color of bengara.
Fukiya has been designated by the Japanese government as an important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings.
It was inscribed on the Japanese Heritage list on June 19, 2020.
Former Fukiya Elementary School(Important cultural property of Okayama Prefecture)The museum will open on 221 April 2022. Former Fukiya Elementary School(Important cultural property of Okayama Prefecture)The museum will open on 221 April 2022.

Spot

Former Hirokane Residence
Fukiya Preservation District
The district of Fukiya has a wonderful continuous townscape whose external appearance is integrated by the bronze color of Sekishu roof tiles and red ocher color of bengara. It is precisely this townscape that is the biggest cultural heritage left behind to posterity by the wealthy residents of Fukiya from the later part of the Edo period to the Meiji era.
Lavish mansions built by wealthy merchants who spared no expense can be seen in all parts of Japan. What makes Fukiya unique, however, is that the whole district was built under a unified concept, as opposed to the construction of extravagant mansions independently of each other. Upon mutual consultation, the merchants decided to invite master carpenters skilled in the building of ornate structures, like temples and shrines, from Sekishu (present-day Shimane Prefecture) to come and do all the construction. This approach was an astonishingly progressive one for the times.
View sightseeing spots
Experience the Japan Heritage story by visiting the mine and going around Fukiya

Model Course

Former Fukiya elementary school buildings
Located in the district, the former Katayama Residence is one of the cultural properties making up the story of “Japan Red.” The Katayama were a wealthy merchant family that manufactured and sold bengara. Their former residence has been designated as a national important cultural property. Visitors can tour the interior.
The red townscape is formed by rows of houses with walls that are the color of bengara and roofs topped with Sekishu tile. The district is the birthplace of “Japan Red,” which charms all visitors.
View Model Courses

Videos

Event

A Trip around Japan Heritage Travel writer Ai Nishimura’s column A Trip around Japan Heritage Travel writer Ai Nishimura’s column
Download materials Pamphlets and Document Download materials Pamphlets and Document

News

TOP