This site explains in detail the tour spots described on tourist board.
1 The Gokasho Kondo Important Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings.
The Gokasho Kondo is a region with strong links to the Omi Merchants and has been designated as a Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings as well as an Important Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings and a Japan Heritage site. The harmony of traditional farm houses and Merchant houses create beautiful Village landscape. Walking through these fascinating streets will reveal a refined atmosphere, with spring water of Echi River running through the canals where Koi-carps swim elegantly.
■ Request for guided tour
Application: Gokasho Tourist Information Office
TEL : 0748-48-6678（Please send your request one week prior to desired tour date）
Tour volunteer transportation fee of 1000 yen per group is required
Location
Take the Kanzaki Omi rail bus to Kondo from Notogawa station east exit. It takes approx. ten minutes.
Introduction of The Gokasho Kondo Important Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings and the surrounding area.
Guzeiji Temple
It is said to be built in 1290. The center piece of Kondo Important Preservation District for Group of Traditional Buildings. Current main temple was rebuilt in 1764 and designated as the important cultural property.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Jyungoro Nakae House–Gokasho Omi Merchant House
The house used to belong to Nakae Jungoro, the department store King who was the fifth son of Minakai family which operated more than 20 department stores before WW2 in Korean Peninsula and China.
The view from second story room with style of garden that features a path around a pond takes you back in time to early Showa period.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：10 : 00-16 : 30
Closed: Every Mondays (except holidays), day after national holiday, December 28 - January 4
Admission Fee: Shigeru Tonomura Merchant House & Jungoro Nakae Merchant House.
Adult: 400 yen/Child: 200 yen
TEL : 0748-48-5676
Uhe-e Tonomura House–Gokasho Omi Merchant House ※Currently closed until further notice
The house belonged to Uhe-e Tonomura, the youngest son of Yonaemon Tonomura. He began his independent business separating from his father in 1813 and branched out selling Kimonos in Tokyo, Yokohama, Fukui, and Kyoto, etc. He expanded his business and eventually became one of the richest merchants in Meiji era. His garden was the most beautiful garden in Kanzaki region.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Shigeru Tonomura house–Gokasho Omi Merchant House
Shigeru Tonomura’s business was started by Kichitaro, a husband of Miwa who was a daughter of the 4th generation Uhe-e Tonomura. Kichitaro worked at Uhe-e’s Kyoto branch and started a cotton cloth wholesale business in Nihonbashi and Takatanobaba, Tokyo in 1907.
Shigeru Tonomura was a third son of Tonomura family. For a short time he took over his father’s business but decided to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. He wrote many novels such as Kusaikada, Ikada, Hanaikada and stories depicting Omi merchant as well as his own life.
His Kura (Kura: traditional warehouse, symbol of wealth and status) is a literature museum displaying precious documents and manuscript which was nominated for the first Akutagawa Prize.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：10：00-16：30
Closed: Mondays (except holidays), day after national holiday, December 28 - January 4
Admission Fee: Shigeru Tonomura Merchant House & Jungoro Nakae Merchant House.
Adult: 400 yen/Child: 200 yen
TEL : 0748-48-5676
Hikoshiro Fujii House –Gokasho Omi Merchant House
Hikoshiro Fujii was born as a second son of third generation Fujii Zensuke and later became independent. He actively toured abroad and developed unique textile thread called Komachi and Ski Yarn. He kept up with the change and trend amassing a wealths in his life time.
Kyakuden (reception hall) and Western-style house are built using Japanese cypress. These houses have been designated as cultural properties of Shiga Prefecture. There is a huge garden with a pond resembling Lake Biwa surrounded by precious rocks and trees.
Location
20 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：10：00-16：30
Closed: Mondays (except holidays), day after national holiday, December 28 - January 4
Admission Fee: Adult: 300 yen/Child: 100 yen
TEL : 0748-48-2602
Hachinen–an –Omi Merchant House
Sato Tsukamoto who devoted her energy in education of women and founded women’s school. The original house was purchased and relocated to the current locaation by her second son, second generation Genzaburo Tsukamoto. Relocated house and the existing Kura are both more than 200 years old. The beautiful house and the simple Japanese style landscape garden reflect Tsukamoto’s philosophy of modesty, frugality and diligence.
Location
15 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：9：30-17：00
Closed：irregular
Admission Fee: Junior high student and older 500 yen
TEL : 0748-48-2009
Omi Merchants Museum ・Nakaji Yujin Memorial Art Museum
These museums show the area where Omi merchants was nurtured in films and dioramas.
Exhibits show their business method, philosophy and education, and also introduce various Omi merchant businesses that are active today.
Nakaji Yujin Memorial Art Museum opened when a large number of paintings by local painter, Nakaji Yujin were donated in 2016. He frequently came back to paint his beloved local seasonal sceneries.
Location
15 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours：9：30-17：00（last admission:16:30）
Closed: Mondays (except holidays), day after national holiday, December 28 - January 4
Admission Fee: Adult: 300 yen/Child 150 yen (elementary and junior high)
TEL : 0748-48-7101
Kondo Historical Street Preservation Center
This house belonged to the fourth son of Minaki department store founding family, Nakai. The house is currently run by Volunteers as Kondo Historical Street Preservation Center.
There is a little gift shop where you can relax and get coffee.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours: 10：30-16：30
Closed: Monday, Tuesday, day after national holiday, New Year holidays
TEL : 0505-801-7101
Plaza Sanpoyoshi
There is a rest area you can get local gifts and coffee in Gokasho Kondo Tourist Information Center.
Location
5 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours: 9：00-17：00
Closed: Monday, Day after national holiday, New Year holidays
TEL :0748-48-6678
Kanpo Museum
One of the best calligraphy museums in Japan. It displays modern Chinese calligraphy, Chinese cultural documents as well as the modern Japanese education materials. Special temporary exhibit and permanent exhibit are displayed.
Location
15 minutes walk from Kondo bus stop.
Facility information
Operation Hours: 9：30-17：00（last admission;until16時30分）
Closed: Monday,s (If a holiday falls on Monday, Tuesday following) , Closed when changing exhibitions
TEL:0748-48-4141
Admission Fee: Adult: 500 yen / high school student and student300 yen
2 Japan Heritage Site Iba Waterfront Scenic Canal
Houses in the village are built next to canals. Unique features of these houses include Kawato (wash basin) and live fish pot. Some house foundations adjacent to the canal utilize the stones that make up the canal wall. Unique village style that coexists with the lake is registered as important cultural scene of Japan.
■ Request for guided tour
Mizubenosato Iba Landscape Preservation (Iba Town Association center)
TEL 0748-42-0362（You need to make a reservation in advance.）
Contribution of 300 yen for the beautiful and maintenance of the lake is required
Location
Take Dainaka Chokkoto bus from Notogawa station west exit. Get off after 10 minutes at Iba.
Noto River Watermill and canoe land
Park located on beautiful Lake Iba shore. Park offers a gigantic 13meter diameter watermill, watermill information center, waterfront stage and a rental canoe shop.
Location
Take Chokotto bus Dainaka Line from Notogawa station West. Takes about 12minutes and get off at Iba Nishi. It’s about 15 minutes on foot.
Facility information
Closed: Mondays, day after national holiday, New Year holidays December 28 - January 4
Watermill Museum 0748-42-3000
For information regarding rowboat and Canoe rental:
TEL 090-8757-1998（Iseki boat rental shop）
4 Kitamukiiwaya Juichi Kannon (Goddess of Mercy)
It was dedicated in Nara period and has been worshiped throughout history. During Heian era Sakanouenotamuramaro prayed prior to the extermination of Evils in Suzuka.
Scenic view overlooking Lake Iba, Lake Biwa and Hira mountain range and the sunset over Lake Biwa is breathtaking.
Location
45 minutes walk from west exit of JR Notogawa Station.
Requires a fit walker as it is located near Shishiko mountain top
5 Ishibaji Temple
This temple was founded by Prince Shotoku having 1400 year history. Beautiful moss covered stone steps and stone garden and Buddha statues mostly from Heian period that are designated as important cultural property.
The name of the temple Ishiba (stone horse) came from the legend that the horse Prince Shotoku was riding turned into stone horse.
Location
Take the Kanzaki Omi rail bus to Kondo from Notogawa strain station east exit. It takes approx. ten minutes. Get off at Ishibaji. Approx. 20 minutes on foot.
