Hirokane Residence

The Hirokane Residence in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, stands as a remarkable example of the wealth accumulated during Japan's late Edo period through copper mining and industrial production. Built in 1810 by the second generation of the Hirokane family, this historic estate served as the home of the village headman of Onoro, who amassed considerable fortune by operating the Koizumi Copper Mine and manufacturing roha (iron sulfate), a key raw material for producing bengara red pigment. The Hirokane family worked alongside other prominent local families in the bengara industry, mining iron sulfide ore and producing roha that was sent to bengara kilns in nearby Fukiya.

The residence is renowned for its impressive architecture that resembles a mountain castle. The estate features imposing stone walls comparable to those found at Japanese castles, a two-story tower gate built in the late Edo period, the main house with two stories, three storehouses, and a row house containing servants' quarters, stables, and farm buildings. The property sits dramatically atop a hill in the Nakano area, creating a commanding presence that reflects the family's substantial wealth and status. The garden includes a suikinkutsu, a traditional water fountain that produces pleasant sounds when water is dropped on it.

Visitors to the residence can explore the earthen floor entrance and kitchen areas of the main house, which preserve elements of daily life from the Edo period including the traditional irori (hearth). Part of the storehouse functions as an exhibition room displaying materials related to the Hirokane family history. The site gained additional fame as the filming location for "The Village of Eight Tombs" (Yatsuhakamura), a mystery story by novelist Seishi Yokomizo that was adapted into films by directors Yoshitaro Nomura in 1977 and Kon Ichikawa in 1996, as well as television series. The residence is managed by Okayama Prefecture and hosts an annual "Hana-Meguri" event each May, where the estate is decorated with elaborate flower arrangements.

The residence is located approximately 2.5 kilometers south of Fukiya Furusato Village. From JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station, visitors can take a bus bound for Fukiya to reach the area, though bus services are limited and should be checked in advance. The site offers parking for approximately 35 vehicles. Admission costs 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Visitors can purchase the Fukiya Furusato Village Pass for 1,000 yen (500 yen for children), which provides combined access to multiple attractions including the Hirokane Residence, Fukiya Folk Museum, and other historic sites in the region.