Basho-Seifu Historical Museum (Suzuki Yahe Residence)
The Basho-Seifu Historical Museum celebrates the enduring friendship between the famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho (1644–1694) and the wealthy local merchant Suzuki Seifu (1651–1721). Basho visited Seifu in Obanazawa in 1689, as part of a 156-day journey in which he traveled on foot through northern Japan from Edo (present-day Tokyo). The journey formed the basis for his travelogue, Oku no hosomichi (Narrow Road to the Deep North), a collection of poetry and prose.
The museum building was originally the house of a sake merchant built in the late Edo period (1603–1867) and was relocated to its current location near Seifu’s home. Exhibits include materials related to Seifu, letters written by Basho himself, and materials about Obanazawa related to Basho’s Oku no hosomichi journey. The second floor displays tools, clothes, and other artifacts documenting everyday life in the old days during Obanazawa’s harsh winters.