Fukiya Furusato Village: Beautiful Bengal-Red Townscape of Copper Mine and Bengal Village

Fukiya in Nariva Town, Takahashi City, Okayama is a small settlement of only several dozen people in the mountains of northern Okayama Prefecture. From the Edo through Meiji periods, it flourished in copper mining and production of "bengara" (red iron oxide pigment), creating rich culture and architecture in this small mountain hamlet.

Beautiful Unified Townscape in Bengal-Red

The biggest characteristic of Fukiya's townscape is the unified scenery of Sekishu tile's reddish roofs and bengara-color (reddish-brown) painted exterior walls. This unified townscape continuing along stone-paved roads is designated as a National Important Traditional Buildings Preservation District.

Katayama Family Residence and Former Hirokane Residence

Within Fukiya settlement, the grand merchant house "Former Katayama Family Residence" of wealthy merchant Katayama is open to the public. Also at the edge of Fukiya is the "Former Hirokane Residence." This imposing mansion is also famous as a filming location for the movie "The Village of Eight Gravestones" (directed by Kon Ichikawa).

Bengara-kan Museum

At the "Bengara-kan Museum," the bengara (ferric oxide) manufacturing process can be observed, and bengara dyeing experiences are also available.

Access

About 1 hour by Bihoku Bus from JR Hakubi Line Bicchu-Takahashi Station (alight at Fukiya). About 1.5 hours by car from Okayama City.