Furuichi Family House

Furuichi Family House, Tanegashima 古市家住宅, 種子島

• Design Features
• Largest Sago Palm in Japan
• Kumano Beach
• Hamada Beach & Chikura-no-Iwaya
• Access
• Accommodation
• Tanegashima Museums
• Yakushima Museums
• Japan Museums

Furuichi Family House, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture

The Furuichi Family House in the Nakatane district of Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture is over 150 years old.

The house and garden was once the home of the village headman and his family and is designated as an Important Cultural Property. It was built near the end of the Edo Period in 1846.

The wooden building has been completely restored and renovated and gives an insight into the living styles of past generations.

Furuichi Family House, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture

Furuichi Family House, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture

Design Features

The structure is designed with the climate of the island very much in mind. Prone to strong winds and frequent storms, wooden slats protect the windows. Copper plates are positioned under the pillars to protect against white ants.

Inside the two story, L-shaped structure are a tatami room and an area of earthen floor. There is also a simple wooden floored room with an open hearth.

The garden contains stone walls and a well.

Largest Sago Palm in Japan

Located close to the house is the largest sago palm in Japan. The towering tree is now within the small Sakai Shrine and is supported with wooden beams.

Japanese largest sago palm (sotetsu), Tanegashima

The Largest Sago Palm in Japan, Tanegashima

Kumano Beach

A short drive from the house is the delightful Kumano Beach. The beach is a superb location for swimming in the summer months. The water is shallow and there are a number of picturesque islets in the bay. Located on the more sheltered east side of the island Kumano Beach is considered the best on the island. Adjacent to the sands is the Nature Recreation Village which has accommodation in tents and basic cabins from 2,000 yen a night. The center also rents out outdoor tables, chairs and BBQ equipment. Nearby is the Nakatane Town Onsen Resort Center with ocean views from its baths.

Further down the coast is the Tanegashima Mangrove Park on the Oura River. Visitors can kayak along the river to explore the mangroves in a very natural environment.

Kumano Beach, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture

Hamada Beach & Chikura-no-Iwaya

Still further south is another beach with some interesting rock features. This is Hamada Beach and the natural caves and rock arches of Chikura-no-Iwaya.

Access

Furuichi Family House

Sakai Honmura, Nakatane-cho

Kumage-gun

Kagoshima Prefecture 891-3606

Tel: 0997 27 1111

Hours: 9 am - 4.20 pm

Admission: Free.

The museum is a 25 minute drive from Tanegashima Airport by hire car. From Nishinoomote Port, where the ferries to and from Kagoshima and Yakushima arrive and depart, the journey takes about 45 minutes.

Tanegashima's other standout museums are the Pistol Museum in Nishinoomote and the Tanegashima Space Center to the south.

Tanegashima Mangrove Park on the Oura River

Kumano Beach, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture

Accommodation in Tanegashima

There is a range of available accommodation on Tanegashima from budget minshuku guest-houses to higher-end western style hotels. In Nishinoomote try the recommended Inomoto Honkan Inn (Tel: 0997 22 1100) which has several associated restaurants, the more upmarket Hotel Lexton Tanegashima, the budget Ryokan Miharusou or the three star Tanegashima Araki Hotel.

Elsewhere on Tanegashima are Zeus House, a guest house on the east coast, Minshuku Seiryukyo and the two star guest house Ebinoyu in Minamitane.

Natural rock arch at Chikura-no-Iwaya, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture

Hamada Beach, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture

Cliffs at Hamada Beach, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture

Map

Book Hotel Accommodation in Japan

Travel Books on Japan