Kita Residence

What to know

Situated at the foot of the Noto Peninsula, the Kita Residence (喜多家, Kita-ke) is a former samurai mansion that has been preserved and opened to the public. The Kita family served as village administrators for the feudal lord, at times overseeing over 100 villages, making them one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the area.

The Kita family traces its lineage back to the Minamoto Clan, victors of the Genpei War, in contrast to the Tokikuni family of the remote Okunoto region, who were descendants of the defeated Taira Clan. Members of the Minamoto family first arrived in the Noto region in 1575. A few years later, one of the sons was traveling with his mother to her hometown in Ehime when she died en route. The son adopted the name of his mother's county, Kita, and started a new family line.

The Kita family's wealth and influence are reflected in their residence, which is spacious and boasts several attractive features. There were rooms for the family and guests, as well as rooms for conducting village administration. Even the local lord (daimyo) would occasionally visit, for which a special entrance and a slightly elevated room were built.

A notable feature of the residence is a wooden gate with a thatched roof, gifted to the Kita family by the ruling lord and moved from a castle about 350 years ago. A museum beside the residence displays family treasures, including samurai armor and folding screen paintings. The two-story museum is included in the admission fee.

The Kita Residence is a 20-minute walk from Menden Station on the JR Nanao Line (40 minutes and 570 yen from Kanazawa, or one hour and 860 yen from Wakura Onsen).

How to get to and around the Noto Peninsula