Sakaya were also provided with a factor of something like a general trading house in the present day, and in the towns other than Kyoto, the owner of sakaya played the role of a man of influence, like the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
現代でいう総合商社のような要素もあり、また京都以外の町では現代でいう商工会議所の会頭のような顔役としての役割も果たした。