Discovering the Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten Zashiki-gura: A Meiji-Era Parlor Storehouse in Masuda
Tucked away along the historic Nakanichimachi street in the town of Masuda, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, the Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten Zashiki-gura is a beautifully preserved two-story earthen storehouse dating from 1886. Registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property, this parlor storehouse (zashiki-gura) stands as a distinguished example of the unique architectural tradition that once made Masuda one of the most prosperous merchant towns in northern Japan.
Unlike ordinary warehouses built solely for storage, a zashiki-gura was designed to serve as an elegant living and reception space within the thick, fire-resistant walls of a traditional earthen storehouse. The Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten Zashiki-gura exemplifies this distinctive tradition, combining sturdy construction with refined interior finishes that reflect the taste and ambition of the Meiji-era merchants who built it.
Historical Background: Masuda's Merchant Heritage
Masuda is a small town nestled in the southeastern part of the Yokote Basin, at the confluence of the Naruse and Minase Rivers. Its strategic position at the crossroads of the Oyasu and Tekura highways made it a natural hub for trade and commerce from the Edo period onward. A morning market established in 1643 marked the beginning of Masuda's growth as a commercial center, and by the late Edo and Meiji periods, the town had become one of Akita Prefecture's most important trading posts, especially for leaf tobacco and sericulture products.
Wealthy merchants, known as "Masuda shōnin," invested their fortunes in constructing elaborate earthen storehouses called uchi-gura — inner storehouses enclosed within an outer protective building (saya). More than 45 such storehouses were built in Masuda between 1847 and 1933, and approximately 15 of them remain open to visitors today. The entire townscape was designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Jūyō Dentōteki Kenzōbutsugun Hozon Chiku) in 2013.
The Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten was one of these prosperous merchant establishments. The zashiki-gura registered as a cultural property was constructed in 1886 (Meiji 19) and occupies the center of the characteristically long, narrow lot that typifies Masuda's merchant architecture.
Why It Was Registered as a Cultural Property
The Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten Zashiki-gura was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) on September 10, 2010. It was recognized for embodying the typical design and construction techniques of the zashiki-gura tradition in the Masuda area.
Several architectural features contributed to its registration. The storehouse is a gable-entry (tsuma-iri) two-story earthen structure with a sheet-iron roof covering a total floor area of approximately 131 square meters. The western gable and window openings are finished in lustrous black plaster (kuro-shikkui), while the remaining exterior walls are coated in white plaster (shiro-shikkui), creating a striking contrast that is characteristic of Masuda's finest storehouses.
On the ground floor, the interior was originally divided into two rooms, with the rear chamber featuring a refined sao-buchi ceiling — a ceiling constructed with narrow rails (sao) finished in lacquer. The columns on the first floor are placed at unusually close intervals of approximately 45 centimeters (one shaku five sun), alternating between chestnut and cedar — a structural detail that demonstrates both the builder's attention to aesthetics and the high quality of materials used. These characteristics collectively represent the quintessential design vocabulary of the Masuda zashiki-gura.
Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest
The most striking feature of the Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten Zashiki-gura is the bold interplay of black and white plaster on its exterior. The black plaster, produced by mixing soot and oil into lime, creates a deep, glossy surface that was considered a mark of prestige in Masuda. This technique required exceptional skill from plasterers and was reserved for the most prominent storehouses.
Inside, the alternating columns of chestnut and cedar, set at tightly spaced intervals, give the ground floor an unusually rhythmic and solid appearance. Chestnut was prized for its durability and resistance to moisture, while cedar provided a lighter, more elegant visual counterpoint. The lacquered ceiling rails in the rear parlor add a layer of refinement that would have been reserved for receiving important guests or for ceremonial family occasions.
Visitors to the Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten can explore the traditional merchant house layout, following the long "tōri" corridor that extends from the shopfront all the way to the rear gate — a signature feature of Masuda's elongated lot plans. The experience has been described as feeling like a treasure hunt, as architectural details and historical artifacts reveal themselves around every corner.
Visitor Information
The Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten is located along the Nakanichimachi-dōri (also known as Masuda Classic Road), the main historic street of the Masuda preservation district. The building is open for public viewing, and visitors can walk through the traditional merchant house layout to appreciate the zashiki-gura from outside its entrance.
The nearest railway station is JR Jūmonji Station on the Ōu Main Line, accessible from Ōmagari Station (a stop on the Akita Shinkansen) in about 26 minutes by local express. From Jūmonji Station, the Masuda historic district is approximately 10 minutes by bus. On-site parking is available nearby at the Masuda Tourism and Products Center "Kura-no-Eki."
The Masuda area hosts a traditional morning market on days containing the numbers 2, 5, and 9 each month, from approximately 7:00 AM to noon. The annual "Kura-no-Hi" (Storehouse Day) event in October offers expanded access to many of the town's heritage buildings.
Surrounding Attractions
A visit to the Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten Zashiki-gura naturally lends itself to exploring the broader Masuda historic district, where over a dozen merchant houses and storehouses are open to the public. Notable nearby sites include the Yamayoshi Fertilizer Store (Yamayoshi Hiryōten), which houses the newest and largest inner storehouse in Masuda, built in the early Shōwa era and renowned as the culmination of the town's storehouse-building tradition. The Former Ishida Rikichi House, a rare three-story wooden residence and a National Important Cultural Property, is also within walking distance.
The Satō Yōsuke Shōten Urushi-gura Shiryōkan (Lacquer Storehouse Museum) offers insight into the history of Inaniwa udon noodles alongside an impressive lacquer-finished storehouse. For those interested in art and popular culture, the nearby Yokote Masuda Manga Museum (Masuda Manga Bijutsukan) houses a large collection of original manga manuscripts.
In winter, the Yokote area is famous for its Kamakura Festival, where hundreds of small snow houses are illuminated throughout the city — a magical sight that pairs beautifully with a winter visit to Masuda's storehouses.
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Q&A
- What is a zashiki-gura, and how does it differ from a regular storehouse?
- A zashiki-gura is a type of earthen storehouse (dozo) that incorporates tatami-floored parlor rooms within its thick, fire-resistant walls. Unlike ordinary storehouses used purely for storing goods, a zashiki-gura served as an elegant living, reception, or ceremonial space. In Masuda, these storehouses were often used for family milestones such as weddings and funerals, and were considered sacred family spaces.
- Can visitors enter the interior of the zashiki-gura?
- At the Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten, visitors can walk through the traditional merchant house layout and view the zashiki-gura from its entrance area. The interior of the storehouse itself may have limited access as it remains a private family space. Please check with the Masuda Town Tourism Association for current visiting conditions.
- What is the significance of the black and white plaster on the storehouse?
- The combination of black plaster (kuro-shikkui) and white plaster (shiro-shikkui) is a hallmark of the finest storehouses in Masuda. Black plaster, made by mixing soot and oil into lime and polishing it to a high gloss, was expensive and required highly skilled craftsmen. Its use on prominent surfaces such as gable walls and window surrounds signaled the wealth and prestige of the owner.
- How do I get to Masuda from Tokyo?
- From Tokyo, take the Akita Shinkansen to Ōmagari Station (approximately 3 hours). Transfer to the JR Ōu Main Line and ride to Jūmonji Station (about 26 minutes by local express). From Jūmonji Station, take a bus for approximately 10 minutes to the Masuda historic district. Alternatively, rental cars are available at Ōmagari Station.
- When is the best time to visit Masuda?
- Each season offers a unique experience. The "Kura-no-Hi" event in October provides special access to multiple storehouses. The snowy winter landscape gives the traditional buildings an especially atmospheric beauty and pairs well with Yokote's famous Kamakura Festival in February. Spring and autumn are pleasant for walking the historic streets. The morning market on days with 2, 5, or 9 is an added attraction year-round.
Basic Information
| Name | Yamanaka Kichisuke Shoten Zashiki-gura (山中吉助商店座敷蔵) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | September 10, 2010 |
| Year of Construction | 1886 (Meiji 19) |
| Structure | Two-story earthen storehouse (dozo-zukuri), sheet-iron roofing, building area approx. 131 m² |
| Address | 104 Nakamachi, Masuda-machi Masuda, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture 019-0801 |
| Access | Approximately 10 minutes by bus from JR Jūmonji Station (Ōu Main Line) |
| Contact | Masuda Town Tourism Association: 0182-45-5541 |
References
- 山中吉助商店座敷蔵 — Cultural Heritage Online (文化遺産オンライン)
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/212803
- National Database of Designated Cultural Properties (国指定文化財等データベース)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00008241
- Public Heritage Buildings — Masuda Town Tourism Association (増田町観光協会)
- https://masuda-matta.com/facility/
- Yamayoshi Fertilizer Store — Yokote City Tourism (横手市観光)
- https://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/tokusetsu/masuda/04_open/kura08.html
- Masuda's Inner Storehouses — Colocal (コロカル)
- https://colocal.jp/topics/art-design-architecture/architecture-note/20140417_31773.html
Last verified: 2026.03.27