The Onoe family prospered in shipping, with records showing their junks transported stone lanterns and other stone products as far as Aomori in northern Japan. Surrounded by castle-like high stone walls, the magnificent mansion is a testament to the shipping industry of the Edo period (1603 -1867), and has many details showing the skills of the famed Shiwaku carpentry tradition. It was built about 200 years ago, with the walls made from attractive Aoki stone quarried on the island, and the house built entirely of zelkova wood.