History of OKADA

Spring Festival in OKADA

After the Battle of SEKIGAHARA, in 1606 (KEICHO PeriodYear 11), 3 districts in HINAGAGO area, OKUMURA,
NAKAMURA, and SATOMURA, were united and became
OKADA village.
Population at the time was 700, number of houses was
146, and production volume of rice was 689 KOKU
(approx. 100,000 kg). Farmers started weaving cotton togain additional income.
From EDO Era (1603 - 1868) till SHOWA Era Year 30s(1955 - 1964), OKADA prospered as the center of CHITA
cotton industry.
In 1929 (SHOWA Era Year 4), SHIN street was paved, andOKADA was crowded with cotton factories and stores.
"KIRAKUZA" (theater hall) was crowded entertainingpeople. At the height of its prosperity, there were 3,000
female textile workers working in OKADA.
At Spring Festival in April, 3 DASH (float) are paraded, andKARAKURI and DEKU (wind-up doll and wooden doll) aredevoted to the god. Historical streetscape and precious
tradition and culture have been passed on to the present.

The main festival is held on a Sunday
close to April 16. (Please contact via
e-mail to conﬁrm date.) On the day
before the main festival, during
YOIMIYAMATSURI (Festival-EveCelebration), SHIRAKU (parade withJapanese lantern, whistle, drum, andISE-ONDO (dance) by KAJININ) isdedicated to the god of SHINMEISYAShrine. At the main festival, DASHI(parade ﬂoat) get together in front ofDAIMON (big gate) boosting the festival mood. In OKADA, there are 3
DASHI, each of which belong to diﬀerent groups: OKUGUMI,
NAKAGUMI, and SATOGUMI; and each are called "KAZAGURUMA (car ofwind)", "AMAGURUMA (car of rain)", and "HIGURUMA (car of the sun)".
The name of SAKIGURUMA (the ﬁrst ﬂoat) and the weather on the dayof the festival usually match. Each DASHI holds SHITADEKU andUWADEKU (wooden dolls). Dance of the dolls is devoted to the god oncein the morning and once in the afternoon. Quite exciting NEJIMAWASHI(turning the direction of the ﬂoats) is held at 1:00p.m.

Directions to OKADAToNAGOYATo TOKAI City

AsakuraExit
ASAKURA
StationNISHICHITA-SANGYO Bypass

Cotton Dried in the Sun

Reeling Thread

Transporting Cotton

ASAKURABus Stop
FURUMIStation

NAKATAUMI
WATARIOKADA
JIUN-JI Bus Stop(Temple)

SYOUTAROU
WAKI

NOBORINAGAURAExit

USAKA
BIJYOUGANETo TOKONAME

By CarView of Prefecture Street(since SHOWA Era Year 4: 1929)

Cotton Factory

By Train
By BusNAGAURA
Station

FUKADAWAKI

CHITA Post
Oﬃce
AGUI Exit

From NAGOYA, take NISHI-CHITA-SANGYO Bypass, get oﬀ
at NAGAURA Exit, and head east for 10 minutes.
Or, take CHITA-HANTO-DO (toll), get oﬀ at AGUI, andhead west for 10 minutes.
From Nagoya station, take MEITETSU TOKONAME Line,
get oﬀ at ASAKURA station, and then take CHITA bus.
Take CHITA bus bound for HIGASHI-OKADA, and get oﬀ at
OKADA Bus Stop.

Contact
OKADA MACHINAMI PRESERVATIVE ASSOCIATIONOffice,Momengura Chita
Address: 9 AZA NAKATANI OKADA, CHITA, AICHINAKASHICHI Second Cotton Factory(TAISHO Era: 1912 - 1926)
OKADA Post Oﬃce

WebsiteCHITA Tourism Association(located in OKADA MACHIDUKURI Center)
Address: 5 AZA DANDOBO OKADA, CHITA, AICHITEL: 0562-51-5637 FAX: 0562-51-7456
Website Search: CHITA KANKO KYOKAI
email: chita-kanko@ma.medias.ne.jp Holidays: Monday
OKADA MACHINAMI PRESERVATIVE ASSOCIATION Office & CHITA Tourism Association

KIRAKUZA (Theater Hall)(early SHOWA Era)

OKADA Town Hall(TAISHO Era)

MASUISO, Japanese Restaurantand RYOKAN (Inn) (TAISHO Era)

English translation : KH ENGINEERING Corporation

THE LANDSCAPE
MAP OF OKADA
ー Birthplace ofCHITA Cotton ーHand Weaving Studio MOMENGURA CHITA
MOMENGURA is a co�on storehouse built
by TORAOU TAKEUCHI in the late MEIJI
Era. You can experience handweaving andpurchase products made in the studio.
(Holidays: Wed and Thu)
[Registered Tangible Cultural Property(structure)]
House of YASUHIRO TAKEUCHI & KURA(Storehouse)
KURA with Japanese style wall was built in
1920 (TAISHO Era Year 9) and painted
black during the war. The family runs
apparel company, YAMAKIORIFU.
FUNAHASHI Family(Trail of Former Ito Bank)
In 1923 (TAISHO Era Year 12), former
CHITA Saving Bank (DOI Family) moved
here and later became Ito Bank. In 1936
(SHOWA Era Year 11), the bank was
moved to the place where OKADA Branch,
AICHI Bank is currently located.
GOEMON-JIZO
In EDO Era, a SHUGENJA (prac��oner) wholiked SAKE started deep medita�on to cureepidemic spread in the village. Villagers
created stone Buddhist image to mourn hisdemise.
AMIDA-DO (Temple Hall)
The temple already existed in 1660s(KANBUN Period), and the roof was clay
�led in 1841. A Buddhist chant is s�ll
devoted every month.
OKUGUMI-DASHIGURA (FloatStorehouse)
The DASHI (ﬂoat) was made in 1861
(BUNKYU Period Year 1). It is called"KAZAGURUMA (car of wind)".
OKADA SHINMEISYA (Shrine)
Built in 1622 (GENNA Period Year 8). In
1957 (SHOWA Era Year 32), SENGU
material of ISE Shrine was given to rebuild
this shrine. (SENGU is to transfer the bodyof a god to another shrine during
rebuilding the old shrine.)
MASUISO, Japanese Restaurant &RYOKAN (Inn)
In MEIJI Era Year 20s (1945-1954), they ran
the inn by the name of KOBO-YADO. It is
now a classy Japanese restaurant and inn.
(KOBO is short for KOBO-DAISHI, a beloved
Japanese Buddhist monk, scholar, poet,and ar�st who founded the Esoteric
SHINGON.)
Former OKADA-YA
House of KARO (house elder) built in ONO
Castle was moved here. In MEIJI Era Year
20s (1945-1954), inn was opened by thename of KOBO-YADO.
KAITO-HIGASHIGUMIIn 1943 (MEIJI Era Year 18),
KAITO-HIGASHIGUMI made this as ashelter against air a�ack. (War Heritage)
BUNSHIRO-ZAKA (Hilly Street)
The street was named a�er BUNSHIRO DOI
family in MEIJI Era (1868-1911). There areother hilly streets, such as GONGEN-ZAKA,NEZUMI-ZAKA, etc.
Hand Weaving Studio, YAMAMOMOIn 1990 (HEISEI Era Year 2), weaving studio
was opened. Every Wednesday, weaving
school is open.
TAMONTEN (also called BISYAMONTEN)& JYUO-DO (Temple Hall)
The hall was built in 1710 (SYOTOKUNENKAN), and a Buddhist chant is s�ll
devoted every month.
NAKAGUMI-YAMAGURA(Float Storehouse)
The DASHI (ﬂoat) was made in 1839
(TENPO Period Year 10), and is the oldest
and the biggest in OKADA. It is called"AMAGURUMA (car of rain)".
KURA (Storehouse) of KURAOU
TAKEUCHI House
The western-style unique storehouse wasbuilt in 1927 (SHOWA Era Year 2).

FUKU-GAWARA (Tile of Luck) on Fencearound House of MATSUDA (den�st)
In 1720s (KYOHO Period), Matsuda started
business as an internal medicine specialist.
Since SYOWA Era, MATSUDA family
opened a den�stry. On the fence, there is
FUKU-GAWARA (Tile of Luck).
SYUTOKU-JI (Temple)
Built as one of the branch temples of
JIUN-JI (Temple) in 1521 (DAIEI Period Year1). It follows the denomina�on ofMYOSHIN-JI (Temple) of ENZAI-SYU(Religion).

ー Birthplace of CHITA Cotton ーMARUFUJISEIKACHITA Tourism Assocation
To NAGAURA
Exit

MASAYASUTEI (Former OKADA Hospital)
Dr. MASAYASU TAKEUCHI (Former Directorof TOYOHASHI Army Hospital) started thehospital in 1929.
[Registered Tangible Cultural Property(structure)]

Cafe Novatann

UMIWATARIDAIMON-MAE Bus StopTAROUBOU

SYUTOKU-JI

MASAYASUTEISATOGUMIDASHIGURA

TAKEUCHIGOUMEI & KURA

Tradi�onal CHITA Co�on, TSUMONOKIYou can join the class and experiencehandweaving in the studio, and purchaseco�on products. (Open from Thu to Sat)FUKU-GAWARA on
Fence around
House of
MATSUDA

Traditional
CHITA Cotton,
TSUMONOKI

NAKAGUMIYAMAGURABUNSHIRO-ZAKA

OMATSURI HIROBA (Fes�val Space)
The open space is considered as a centerof OKADA. Every year on a Sunday close toApril 16, 3 DASHI (ﬂoat) of diﬀerent
groups: OKUGUMI, NAKAGUMI, andSATOGUMI, are brought here.

OMATSURIHIROBA

Fomer NAKASHICHIMOMEN Main Shop
Hand Weaving Studio,YAMAMOMOCHITA OKADA Post Oﬃce
Built as a post oﬃce / cable sta�on in 1902
(MEIJI Era Year 35). It was closed
temporarily but was reopened as a postoﬃce in 1993 (HEISEI Era Year 5). Thisbuilding was the start of townscapepreserva�on.
[Registered Tangible Cultural Property(structure)](Available only onSat & Sun)

Trail ofBomb Shelter

GOEMON-JIZOFormer House of
TORAOU TAKEUCHI

Former CHITABank for Large
Amount Saving

Former TAKENAKASHOUTEN & KURATADUNA-KAKE

House of SHIROU TAKENOUCHI & KURAAKIBASHA in
House ofNAKATANI-YASHIKI
YASUHIRO
TAKEUCHI &KURA
Hand Weaving Studio
CHITA OKADA
MOMENGURA CHITA
Post Oﬃce

AMIDA-DO

FUNAHASHI
FamilyOKAKIYATATSUSHIN

Row of Cherry TreesOKUGUMIDASHIGURANOBORIHANJOUTEIOKADA Bus Stop

MASUISO, JapaneseRestaurant & RYOKANIRORIYA SENJU

seasonal delicacy (reserva�on required)
Restaurant MASUISO:IRORIYA SENJU: 90-year-old house style cafe& Cafewith great ingredients TEL: 0562-55-3602

FormerOKADA-YA

Tiny Museum,MUSE

OKADA SHINMEISYASouvenir

OKAKIYA TATSUSHIN: also a restaurant. ARARE (rice cracker) andMITARASHIDANGO (dumpling with sweet soy sauce) available.
TEL: 0562-56-0280
MARUFUJISEIKA: EBI-SENBEI (shrimp cracker) made from fresh shrimp
TEL: 0562-55-2819

Common Route (Town Scape Course) : About 1 Hour
1. Hand Weaving Studio MOMENGURA CHITA → 2. House of YASUHIRO TAKEUCHI & KURA →30. CHITA OKADA Post Oﬃce → 29. AKIBASHA in NAKATANI-YASHIKI →28. House of SHIROU TAKENOUCHI and KURA → 27. TADUNA-KAKE →26. Former TAKENAKA-SHOUTEN & KURA → 25. Former House of TORAOU TAKEUCHI →23. OMATSURI HIROBA → 24. Fomer NAKASHICHI-MOMEN Main Shop →22. JIUN-JI → 20. MASAYASUTEI → 21. Tradi�onal CHITA Co�on, TSUMONOKI →10. KAITO-HIGASHIGUMI → 8. MASUISO, Japanese Restaurant & RYOKAN →9. Former OKADA-YA → 7. OKADA SHINMEISYA → 1. Hand Weaving Studio MOMENGURA CHITACafe Clover

To AGUI ExitCafe FUJI: cafe where you can rest a�er a walk
TEL: 0562-74-0029
Cafe Novatann: old house style cafe & restaurant
TEL: 0562-55-3948
HANJOUTEI: old house style restaurant with rice, seaweed, and noodle
TEL: 0562-85-1360

TADUNA-KAKE (Hook for Bridle Rein)
KINSHIRO TAKEUCHI mounted a hook onstone wall to hitch horses drawing a cart.

AKIBASHA (Shrine) in NAKATANI-YASHIKIAs EDO suﬀered a big ﬁre in the middle of
EDO Era, many houses enshrined god ofﬁre protec�on. 16 shrines exist.

OKADA FUKUSHI
KAIKAN

Japan Agricultural
Cooperatives

Former House of TORAOU TAKEUCHITORAOU invented power loom in 1898
(MEIJI Era Year 31) and obtained patent.
Some says that TORAOU did the researchwith SAKICHI TOYODA (founder ofTOYOTA).

House of SHIROU TAKENOUCHI & KURA(Storehouse)
In 1700s (EDO Era, SHOGUN ruling �me),
GENSUKE TAKEUCHI obtained a wholesale
business license of co�on in EDO (former
name of TOKYO). NAGAYA-MON (Gate)
and MOMEN-GURA (Co�on Storehouse)s�ll exist.

Cafe FUJI

Trail ofSENJYUKEN

Former NAKASHICHI-MOMEN Main ShopBuilt in 1915. It is now a head oﬃce of
NAKASHICHI-MOMEN Joint-Stock
Company, established in 1896 (MEIJI EraYear 29).
[Registered Tangible Cultural Property(structure)]

MONZENNAGAYA

478 Chita Cotton

KURA of KURAOU
TAKEUCHI HouseTAMONTENJIUN-JI (Temple)
Built by NORIMITSU ISSHIKI in 1350
(KANNOU Era Year 1). It follows thedenomina�on of MYOSHIN-JI (Temple) of
ENZAI-SYU (Religion).

Former TAKENAKA-SHOUTEN (Store) andKURA (Storehouse)
TAKENAKA-SHOUTEN used to deal withrice, fer�lizer, co�on, etc. The KURA(Storehouse) has a basement with adriveway for horse-drawn cart.

JIUN-JIAICHI BankCHUO ParkSATOGUMI-DASHIGURA(Float Storehouse)
The DASHI (ﬂoat) was made in 1689
(GANROKU Period Year 2). It is called"HIGURUMA (car of sun)."TAKEUCHI-GOUMEI & KURA (Storehouse)
TAKEUCHI-GOUMEI is a company and used
to be a co�on factory in TAISYO era(1912-1926). KURA (Storehouse) is now
used as a company oﬃce.

THE LANDSCAPE
MAP OF OKADA

OKADA Primary
SchoolOMON (big gate)

Parking
HotelToilet

MASUISO: Japanese style inn and restaurant, opened in MEIJI Era, wherecherry trees can be enjoyed during the season.
TEL: 0562-55-3602
Hand Weaving Studio

Full View of OKADA (History Course) : About 2 Hours
If you follow the numbers from 1 to 30, you can enjoy the history of OKADA thoroughly.

Stroll around Town : About 30 Minutes
1. Hand Weaving Studio MOMENGURA CHITA → 2. House of YASUHIRO TAKEUCHI & KURA →30. CHITA OKADA Post Oﬃce → 29. AKIBASHA in NAKATANI-YASHIKI →28. House of SHIROU TAKENOUCHI and KURA → 27. TADUNA-KAKE →26. Former TAKENAKA-SHOUTEN & KURA → 7. OKADA SHINMEISYA →1. Hand Weaving Studio MOMENGURA CHITA