A Historic Residence Dating to 1763
Built in 1763, the Former Kita Family Residence is known as one of the largest traditional samurai residences in the Iya region. The property preserves architectural features associated with the area’s former warrior and local leadership classes, providing insight into the lives of people who once held important positions in this remote mountain community.
The Kita family is traditionally associated with the Heike, or Taira, clan. According to local legend, members of the Taira clan fled into the mountains after their defeat in the Battle of Yashima in 1185 and settled in the Iya region. The family is said to have served as village headmen in this community connected with Heike history.
Although these accounts belong partly to local tradition, they form an important part of the cultural stories that give the Iya Valley its distinctive identity. Visiting the residence offers an opportunity to explore both the region’s historical architecture and its enduring legends.
Traditional Architecture and Historic Interiors
The residence retains many features of traditional Japanese architecture from the period in which it was built. Inside, furnishings and historical displays evoke the atmosphere of an earlier era, helping visitors imagine how people lived in this mountainous part of Tokushima.
The spacious grounds and historic buildings provide a setting in which to appreciate the craftsmanship and domestic traditions of the past. For travelers interested in Japanese history and rural heritage, the residence offers a quieter alternative to the country’s better-known castles and samurai districts.
Hoko-sugi: A Giant Sacred Cedar
One of the most remarkable sights associated with the residence is Hoko-sugi, a giant cedar designated as a Natural Monument of Tokushima Prefecture. The tree stands approximately 50 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of around 11 meters, and is believed to be more than 800 years old.
According to local tradition, Taira no Kunimori planted the cedar to honor a halberd he possessed and to pray for peace. The tree is also known as Kunimori-sugi. Its immense trunk and towering branches create an impressive landmark that connects the natural landscape with the area’s stories of the Heike clan.
Nearby Hoko Shrine
Hoko Shrine stands beside the former residence and shares its connection with the legends of the Heike. The date of the shrine’s founding is unknown, but tradition holds that Taira no Kunimori established it in this area. Another local story says that the halberd associated with Emperor Antoku was enshrined here when he fled toward the mountains of Iya.
The shrine’s natural surroundings create a peaceful atmosphere for visitors interested in local spiritual traditions. Hoko-sugi, the enormous cedar on the shrine grounds, is the same celebrated natural landmark associated with the former residence and is regarded as one of the area’s most impressive trees.
The shrine enshrines three deities: Hikohohodemi-no-Mikoto, Ninigi-no-Mikoto, and Ugayafukiaezu-no-Mikoto.
The Battle of Yashima and the Heike Legacy
The Battle of Yashima took place in 1185 during the Genpei War, the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans that helped shape the beginning of Japan’s medieval warrior government. After losing control of the capital in 1183, the Taira clan withdrew westward with the young Emperor Antoku and established a base at Yashima, in what is now Kagawa Prefecture.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune led an attack that defeated the Taira forces at Yashima. The surviving members of the clan retreated, and the conflict culminated in their defeat at the Battle of Dan-no-ura later that year.
Local tradition maintains that some members of the Taira clan escaped into the rugged mountains of Shikoku and found refuge in the secluded Iya Valley. Its steep terrain and remote settlements made it a fitting setting for stories of hidden survivors. The Former Kita Family Residence and nearby Hoko Shrine are among the places associated with this enduring regional heritage.
Access
The Former Kita Family Samurai Residence is approximately 100 minutes by car from Ikawa-Ikeda Interchange on the Tokushima Expressway and around 50 minutes by car from JR Oboke Station. The site is located in a mountainous area, so visitors should allow sufficient time for the journey.
Hoko Shrine is adjacent to the residence and can be included in the same visit. Travelers can explore the historic house, admire the giant cedar, and discover the stories that link the landscape of Higashi-Iya with Japan’s medieval past.
Discover History and Nature in Higashi-Iya
The Former Kita Family Samurai Residence brings together traditional architecture, local history, and a remarkable natural monument. Alongside nearby Hoko Shrine and its ancient cedar, it offers a fascinating introduction to the Heike legends that remain part of the Iya Valley’s cultural identity.
For visitors exploring the secluded mountain landscapes of Miyoshi City, this historic site provides a meaningful opportunity to experience the region’s heritage while enjoying the quiet atmosphere of one of Tokushima’s most distinctive rural areas.