Former Shinohara Family Residence

The Former Shinohara Family Residence stands as a rare surviving example of a wealthy merchant's home from the Meiji era in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. The Shinohara family established their business at the entrance to the Oshu Kaido road around the late 18th century, operating a successful soy sauce brewery and fertilizer business that brought them extraordinary wealth. At their peak, the family's income reportedly equaled the combined salaries of 8,000 people, and they spent the equivalent of more than one year's city budget constructing their residence.

The current main house and three stone warehouses were built in 1895 using the finest materials and craftsmanship available. The buildings feature exterior walls made of distinctive Oya stone and black plaster, creating a storehouse-style structure with exceptional durability. Notable architectural details include a massive 40-centimeter square central pillar, high ceilings, lattice work at the entrance, rippled old glass windows, and unique fixtures throughout. The residence has remarkably survived numerous natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, and most significantly, the World War II bombing in 1945 that destroyed the original soy sauce brewery and other structures on the property. Both the main house and stone warehouses are designated as Important Cultural Properties.

Visitors can explore the largely unfurnished interior, which allows the architectural features to take prominence. The ground floor includes business reception areas that reflect the family's commercial activities, while the upper floor features a long windowed corridor. Display cases present original furnishings, and a 1/100 scale model shows the complete estate as it appeared before the wartime destruction. The building was relocated seven meters in 1967 to accommodate road construction, then donated to the city in 1995 and opened to the public following restoration. Audio guides are available in multiple languages to explain the house's history and the Shinohara family's activities.

The residence is located just a 3-minute walk from the west exit of JR Utsunomiya Station in Imaizumi 1-chome. Admission costs only ¥100, making it an accessible stopover for travelers passing through Utsunomiya or en route to destinations like Nikko. A city-operated bicycle parking garage between the station and residence rents bicycles for ¥100 per day, offering convenient access to other Oya stone sites throughout the city.