Memeda Historic District

Explore the Edo-period homes and storehouses in Hita’s preservation district, which have been restored to their original condition, giving the area a feudal look and feel.

Is a relaxing 1-hour drive inland to Hita, a castle town that Japan’s feudal military government controlled during the Edo period that ranged from the 16th to mid-18th centuries.

It is quite a compact area, and its streets are lined with row after row of the area’s oldest merchant residences and storehouses, which have been painstakingly restored to their original conditions. Even the utility lines have been buried underground to retain the authentic feudal atmosphere.

Your guide will introduce you to the district before arrival, and then you will have approximately 1 ½ hrs of free time to explore many of those historical buildings, which now contain shops, art galleries and restaurants. You might browse stores with collectible Hina dolls, traditional Japanese clothing and exquisite handicrafts made of wicker and bamboo.