This was an unexpected stop on our trip and the most memorable! It’s a historical landmark, estate of the old saffron liquor king. The entry cost is only ¥200, run by passionate staff and volunteers who want to preserve this beautiful place. We got a walking tour by a guide who told us interesting history and facts. It was truly beautiful and we hope it can be restored.
This is a little gem in Nagaoka. It's a small historical house showcasing the life of sake makers and objects found in that era. For 200 yen you can watch a Japanese presentation about the interesting architecture of the building. Outside there is a garden and in walking distance another building to explore. You can purchase sake or omiyage in the kote-e building.
Plaster paintings on the wall of old liquor warehouse are something to see
I took a stroll around Yoshinogawa Brewery during Golden Week at the end of April 2026. The plaster reliefs were impressive even from the outside, and I could feel the passion of the plasterers. They were collecting 200 yen donations inside, so I put some in without thinking, and I was led onto a guided tour. It turned out the donation was the participation fee. So cheap! About eight other people were also participating.
There were so many things to see, from the explanation of the vividly colored plaster reliefs in the storehouse, to the main house and the fantastical garden. The interior of the annex was overwhelming, with timber that is probably no longer available used for the transoms and pillars, making it a legendary mansion that couldn't be built even with money in modern times. I'm glad it was preserved before it decayed unused. The remnants of its heyday only accentuate its current sadness. I hope they continue to put effort into its preservation.
