”Japan Heritage Tonoura Bay, the Port of Call for Kitamaebune Cargo Ships”
The Kitamaebune Cargo Ships were wooden merchant ships utilized to trade goods in many places between Osaka and Hokkaido located along the coast of Japan from the middle of the Edo Period (1603~1867) until 1897. Tonoura Bay prospered as one of the largest trading ports of Hamada Domain, and Kitamaebune cargo ships utilized this port as a way to wait for the right wind to take them along the westward sea route. Traces of the port of call remain strong, and the scenery from the days of the trading port are full of charm. Due to this, the townscape became designated as a Japan Heritage cultural property. Also, the stone compass utilized by the trading ships still stands on top of Mt. Hiyoriyama in Tonoura Bay, and from there you can see the depth of the bay, and a beautiful view of the Sea of Japan.