A day trip plan to visit historical spots in Matsusaka City , Mie Prefecture

Historical spot in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture

Matsusaka City is located in the Chuo of Mie Prefecture , adjacent to Kyoto Prefecture and Nara Prefecture .

Matsusaka once flourished as a merchant town and is known as a "town of wealthy merchants."

This time, we will introduce you to historical tourist spots in Matsusaka!

• Table of Contents
• ① Former Ozu Seizaemon Family
• 2. Birthplace of the Mitsui family
• ③Wealthy Merchant Pocket Park
• ④The Hasegawa Jirobei family
• Matsusaka Cotton Hand-Weaving Center
• ⑥Walk around town in a Matsusaka Momen kimono
• ⑦Wadakin
• summary

① Former Ozu Seizaemon Family

This is the mansion of Ozu Kiyozaemon, a wealthy merchant who was once the largest paper wholesaler in Edo (present-day Tokyo). It is currently open to the public as a museum.

The main house, storehouse, and front storehouse built in the style of a townhouse from the Edo period (1603-1867) still remain, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of wealthy merchants at the time. (Designated as a tangible cultural property by Mie Prefecture and a historic site by Matsusaka City)

https://matsusaka-rekibun.com/

[Address] 2195 Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka City Prefecture, 515-0081

[Opening hours] 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30)

[Closed] Wednesdays (or the following weekday if Wednesday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays

[Admission fee] Adults: 200 yen, 6-18 years old: 100 yen

[Access by public transport] Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR/Kintetsu Matsusaka Station

2. Birthplace of the Mitsui family

The Mitsui family is a prestigious family that founded one of Japan's leading financial conglomerates, the Mitsui Zaibatsu, and as the Mitsui Group, they continue to have a major influence on Japan's economy and industry today.

Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture , was the birthplace of Mitsui Takatoshi (1622-1694), the founder of the Mitsui family who is the source of the Mitsui Group's history.

At the birthplace of the Mitsui family, there is still a well that Takatoshi used for his first bath, as well as a monument.

*The gate is usually closed and you cannot enter. (City designated historic site)

https://www.city.matsusaka.mie.jp/site/culture-info/mitsuikehassyoti.html

[Address] 2214 Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0081

[Access by public transport] Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR/Kintetsu Matsusaka Station

③Wealthy Merchant Pocket Park

Located close to the birthplace of the Mitsui family is the Wealthy Merchant Pocket Park, marked by a magnificent lion statue.

Echigoya, which Mitsui Takatoshi opened in the Edo period in what is now Tokyo, Tokyo, is still loved by many people today as Mitsukoshi Department Store. As a result, this lion statue, the symbol of Mitsukoshi Department Store, was donated to Matsusaka.

It is modeled after the lion statue beneath Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square in London, and it is said that if you sit on its back your wishes will come true.

Be sure to try straddling the lion statue, as it may bring you good fortune.

https://www.city.matsusaka.mie.jp/soshiki/41/goushou.html

[Address] 2176-10 Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0081

[Access by public transport] Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR/Kintetsu Matsusaka Station

④The Hasegawa Jirobei family

The Hasegawa family, along with the Mitsui and Ozu families, were one of Matsusaka's leading wealthy merchants, and ran the cotton wholesaler "Tamba."

The Hasegawa family home not only comprises the buildings, but also a vast amount of materials such as commercial documents and ancient manuscripts, which have been well preserved, making it a valuable cultural heritage that conveys evidence of the prosperity of the merchants to the present day.

Here you can enjoy authentic matcha tea (for a fee) while looking out at the quaint garden.

You can also enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves in the garden from late November to early December. (Nationally designated important cultural property, Mie Prefecture designated historic site and scenic spot)

[Address] 1653 Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0082

[Opening hours] 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30)

[Closed] Wednesdays (or the following weekday if Wednesday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays

[Admission fee] Adults: 400 yen, 6-18 years old: 200 yen

[Access by public transport] Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR/Kintetsu Matsusaka Station

Matsusaka Cotton Hand-Weaving Center

The former Hasegawa Jirobei family introduced this "Matsusaka Momen" as a very popular product in Edo at the time.

Matsusaka momen is a cotton fabric produced in the Matsusaka region that uses yarn dyed with natural indigo and features a striped pattern called "Matsusakajima." From a distance it looks plain, but when you get closer you can see the various stripes that are chic and stylish. At the time, when Edo's population was said to be 1 million, it was so popular that over 500,000 bolts were shipped annually.

Matsusaka Momen Hand-Weaving Center sells Matsusaka Momen products.

Here you can also experience weaving Matsusaka Momen (fees apply). Please come and experience Matsusaka Momen for yourself.

https://matsusakamomen.com/

[Address] 1F Matsusaka City Industrial Promotion Center, 2176 Honmachi , Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture Prefecture, 515-0081

[Opening hours] 9:00-17:00

[Closed on] Tuesdays

[Access by public transport] Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR/Kintetsu Matsusaka Station

⑥Walk around town in a Matsusaka Momen kimono

▲Photo location: Castle guard house

There are also shops where you can rent Matsusaka momen kimonos.

・Matsusaka Momen Kimono Rental Center

・Utsukushiya Higashi Village Kimono Store

https://www.matsusaka-kanko.com/matsusaka-machiaruki/

What's more, people wearing Matsusaka Momen kimonos will be able to enter some cultural facilities for free!

[Applicable facilities]

・Motoori Norinaga Memorial Museum

・Matsusaka City Cultural Properties Center

・Matsusaka City History and Folklore Museum

・Matsuura Takeshiro Memorial Museum

It would be great to go around in a Matsusaka momen kimono and take some tasteful photos.

It feels like you've traveled back in time.

If you are sightseeing in Matsusaka, be sure to check out the Matsusaka momen kimonos.

⑦Wadakin

And finally, gourmet food.

When it comes to Matsusaka City gourmet food, Matsusaka beef, one of Japan's three great wagyu beef varieties, comes to mind.

There are many restaurants in Matsusaka City that serve Matsusaka beef, but this time we will be visiting "Wadakin."

This is a long-established Matsusaka beef sukiyaki restaurant, and is a famous restaurant that attracts many customers from outside the prefecture.

The thickly sliced ​​Matsusaka beef is delicious.

When you visit Matsusaka, be sure to try Matsusaka beef.

[Address] 1878 Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture

[Business hours] Weekdays 11:30-19:00 (last order 20:00/closing 21:00)

Weekends and holidays: 11:00-19:00 (last orders 20:00/closing 21:00)

[Closed days] Please check the official website below.

[Access by public transport] Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR/Kintetsu Matsusaka Station

Official website:

summary

How was it?

Matsusaka City in Mie Prefecture is a city where history and culture remain strong.

Please be sure to visit it.

[For more detailed Matsusaka City tourist information, click here]

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Site

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Official Instagram