Gate covered pine of the Honma residence

The Honma residence in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, was erected 250 years ago by the rich merchant Mitsuoka Honma. It is a very interesting example of traditional Japanese architecture, being a combination of the merchant and the samurai-style architecture of the Edo period.

Originally built in the samurai style to provide housing for the high-ranking inspectors of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the residence was later enlarged with a section built in the merchant style architecture.

The entrance was maintained in the samurai style, and it is known as the "pine covered gate", due to the very old and beautifully shaped pine visible in this photo.