Spot

In Ikuno-cho Kuchiganaya, visitors can find four company houses used as residences by mine officials. These buildings, known as “Koshataku,” were the first of their kind to be used in Japan. Designated a cultural asset of Asago City, the residences include baths, ovens, and fittings to offer a glimpse of how lifestyles have changed throughout the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. Visitors will also find a memorial hall dedicated to Takashi Shimura, an actor who appeared in many movies directed by Akira Kurosawa and who spent his childhood in company housing.