Mameda Town

Hita City, neighboring Fukuoka and Kumamoto, was a prosperous “Tenryo (directly ruled by the Shogunate)” merchant town in Edo Period. The city is still dotted by classic buildings and earthen walls, which earned the nickname “Little Kyoto in Kyushu.” Roughly a 15-minute walk from Hita train station will take you to Mameda Town, where houses of merchants still remain who were providing goods to the Shogunate during the Tenryo Era. The graceful townscape is selected as a National Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.

The traditional homes are used as shops which carry Hita City’s traditional crafts such as Onta Ware, or as breweries, great for souvenir hunting. Kusano Residence belonged to the prefecture’s oldest wealthy merchant and is opened to the public during festivals such as Hinamatsuri, Boy’s Day, Hita Gion, or Hita Tenryo.

From mid February to the end of March, Hina Dolls handed down for generations are displayed for the public view during “Tenryo Hita Ohina Matsuri.” Also, on the Saturday and Sunday in the 2nd week of November, “Hita Tenryo Festival” will recreate Daimyo’s procession with people dressed in Edo period’s samurai attire. Then, “Sen-nen Akari (A Thousand-Year Lights)” is held on the following Friday where 30,000 bamboo lanterns are lit.