VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

Nakaya was founded in 1579. The founder decided to develop the spirit of his ancestors and founded a medicine business in Minamimachi, Kanazawa, and in recent years, the name Hikokujuro has been passed down from generation to generation, making Nakaya the 15th in the family. In addition to selling medicinal herbs, Nakaya also began manufacturing and selling Kangentan, which has been handed down from generation to generation. During the Kanbun period(1661-1673), Lord Maeda Tsunanori granted permission for the production and sale of Shisetsu, Kibo Mankyoen, and Karasaien, and they have been produced and sold until the modern era. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), when the Emperor Meiji made a tour of the Hokuriku region, he stayed at the house of Nakaya Hikojiro and inspected various places in the prefecture. Although the Meiji period (1868-1912) was a time of hardship for Chinese medicine, the business has continued for more than 440 years.

The building of the former “Nakaya Yakuho” is operated by Kanazawa City as “Kanazawa Shinise Memorial Hall”.