The Former Oshima Residence

Located in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, this is the former residence of Kotaro Oshima, who contributed to the modernization of Karatsu during the Meiji era. At the Taikoryo English School of the Karatsu Domain, he studied under Korekiyo Takahashi, who later became the Minister of Finance and Prime Minister, alongside Kengo Tatsuno, who designed Tokyo Station, and other notable architects such as Tatsuzo Sone. In 1885 (Meiji 18), he founded the Karatsu Bank, which later became the Saga Bank, and contributed to modernization through the construction of railways, roads, and the development of Karatsu Port. The main house is believed to have been completed in Meiji 26 (1893).