Mogami clan
The area of present-day Funagata was part of ancient Dewa Province and is mentioned in Nara period documents as a location of a fortified settlement on the road connecting Akita Castle on the Sea of Japan with Tagajo on the Pacific coast. During the Sengoku period, the area was under the control of the Mogami clan. During the Edo period, the Funagata was a river port on the Mogami River and a post station on the "sankin kotai" route to Edo and for pilgrims en route to the Three Mountains of Dewa. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Funagata was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to town status on December 1, 1954.