Sugimitsu Porcelain Shop
The Sugimitsu Porcelain Shop was built over 160 years ago toward the end of the Edo period (1603–1867), when Shiotatsu was a hub for local clay distribution.
Since the end of World War II, the shop has endured nine major floods, the worst of which was in 1962, when the water almost reached the ceiling of the first floor. The entire property consists of the three-story main building and three surrounding storehouses. The main house is built in the igura style of hipped, tiled roofs with white-painted gables.
The Sugimitsu’s No. 3 storehouse (San-no-kura) was temporarily used by the Shiota Bank between 1910 and 1916, after which it reverted to its original function. Today, visitors today can browse among ceramic goods available for sale or take a break at the café inside.
The building was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan on September 25, 1998.