Motegi Shichiroemon Family Residence Shin-gura: A Storehouse Born of the Soy Sauce Legacy in Noda
Nestled in the historic heart of Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, the Motegi Shichiroemon Family Residence Shin-gura (New Storehouse) stands as a quiet yet powerful testament to the golden age of soy sauce brewing in Japan. This Taishō-era storehouse is one of 18 structures on the Motegi estate that received national designation as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties in 2018, reflecting the remarkable preservation of an entire compound that once served as both the home and operational base of one of the founding families behind Kikkoman soy sauce.
The Motegi Shichiroemon Family: Pillars of Japan's Soy Sauce Industry
The Motegi Shichiroemon family, known by their trade name Kashiwaya, began brewing soy sauce in the Noda area starting from 1772 (An'ei 1). The family quickly rose to prominence in the region's burgeoning soy sauce industry. In 1887 (Meiji 20), the fifth-generation Motegi Shichiroemon assumed the presidency of the newly formed Noda Soy Sauce Brewing Association. When eight prominent brewing families united to establish the Noda Shoyu Corporation (the predecessor of today's Kikkoman Corporation) in 1917 (Taishō 6), it was the sixth-generation Motegi Shichiroemon who became the company's first president.
The family's influence extended far beyond commerce. Their estate became a center of community life, and the Kotohira Shrine within the compound—originally enshrined in 1789 by the second-generation head of the family—grew into a widely revered place of worship for the entire region.
The Shin-gura: Architecture and Significance
The Shin-gura, or New Storehouse, was constructed during the Taishō era (1912–1926) and stands behind the main residence alongside the older Hon-gura (Main Storehouse). As a traditional Japanese earthen storehouse (dozō-zukuri), the Shin-gura was built using thick plastered walls—a construction technique prized for its excellent fire resistance, humidity control, and security. Such storehouses were essential for wealthy merchant families, protecting valuable goods, documents, and brewing supplies from fire and theft.
The fact that both the Hon-gura and Shin-gura survive in their original positions relative to the main house provides invaluable insight into the spatial organization of a prosperous Edo-to-Taishō-period soy sauce brewing family's estate. The addition of the Shin-gura during the Taishō era likely reflected the family's expanding business operations and growing need for secure storage as the soy sauce industry reached new heights of prosperity.
Why It Was Designated as a Cultural Property
In March 2018, a total of 17 structures and 1 additional feature on the Motegi Shichiroemon estate were registered as national Tangible Cultural Properties. The Shin-gura was recognized as part of this ensemble for its exemplary construction quality and its contribution to the overall historical landscape of the compound. The registration criteria cited its value as a model of architectural form (zōkei no kihan).
What makes this designation particularly significant is the completeness of the surviving estate. The compound preserves buildings spanning from the late Edo period through the Taishō era, including the main house with its distinctive black-plaster exterior walls, an elegant study hall with openwork transoms and chandeliers, a Western-influenced new parlor, multiple storehouses, imposing gates, brick and earthen walls exceeding four meters in height, and the Kotohira Shrine complex with its exquisitely carved main hall built by master carpenters of the Tatekawa school.
Highlights and Points of Interest
While the Motegi Shichiroemon Residence remains a private home and interior viewing is not available, the estate offers much to admire from the surrounding streets. The imposing Yakuimon-style main gate and the towering brick walls provide a glimpse of the grandeur that lies within. The four-meter-high brick and earthen walls were designed not merely as boundaries but as formidable barriers against fire and intruders—a reminder of the valuable goods once stored in buildings like the Shin-gura.
Visitors can experience the adjacent Kotohira Shrine, which opens its gates to the public on the 10th of every month for general worship. The shrine's main hall features an extraordinary curved karahafu gable roof and is adorned with intricate carvings by artisans of the Tatekawa school, a lineage of master shrine carpenters renowned throughout the Kantō region. The kagura-den (sacred dance hall), ema-den (votive tablet hall), and chōzuya (purification fountain) are all fine examples of Meiji-era religious architecture.
Exploring the Surrounding Area
The Motegi estate is situated in the historic core of Noda City, an area deeply intertwined with the story of Japanese soy sauce. A short walk from the residence brings visitors to a wealth of related cultural sites and experiences.
The Kikkoman Mono-shiri Shoyu-kan (Soy Sauce Discovery Museum) at the nearby Noda Factory offers free guided tours of the soy sauce production process, including hands-on experiences like grilling senbei rice crackers with freshly brewed soy sauce. The Noda City Folk Museum, housed in a striking mid-century building designed by architect Yamada Mamoru, showcases the region's deep connections to the soy sauce industry with displays including a model of an Edo-period brewing facility. The former Motegi Saheiji Residence, now the Noda City Community Center, is another registered cultural property that offers a glimpse into the elegant lifestyle of Noda's soy sauce aristocracy.
For those seeking additional cultural immersion, the Kami-Hanawa History Museum (former Takanashi Residence) provides an intimate look at soy sauce merchant culture, while its designated garden offers a serene retreat. The entire neighborhood rewards leisurely exploration on foot, with historical markers and preserved structures around every corner.
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Q＆A
- Can I visit the inside of the Shin-gura or the main residence?
- The Motegi Shichiroemon Residence is still used as a private home, so the interior of the buildings including the Shin-gura is not open for public viewing. However, you can appreciate the exterior architecture from the surrounding streets, and the Kotohira Shrine within the estate grounds is open for worship on the 10th of every month.
- What is the best way to get to the Motegi Shichiroemon Residence?
- The residence is located about a 2-minute walk from the "Kikkoman-mae" bus stop, served by the Mame Bus (Routes 9, 11, 12) and Ibakyu Bus. The nearest train station is Noda-shi Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line, from which the area is accessible on foot in approximately 10–15 minutes.
- Is English signage available at the site?
- Signage at the residence itself is primarily in Japanese. However, the nearby Kikkoman Soy Sauce Museum offers English-language brochures and some English displays. For a guided English-language experience of the Noda soy sauce district, advance arrangements through the local tourism association are recommended.
- What is the connection between this residence and Kikkoman?
- The Motegi Shichiroemon family (Kashiwaya) was one of the eight founding families of the Noda Shoyu Corporation, established in 1917, which later became Kikkoman Corporation. The sixth-generation Motegi Shichiroemon served as the company's first president. The residence and its storehouses, including the Shin-gura, reflect the prosperity that the soy sauce industry brought to these founding families.
- When is the best time to visit Noda for soy sauce heritage tourism?
- Noda can be enjoyed year-round. Spring brings cherry blossoms to the area's parks, while autumn foliage enhances the beauty of the historic streetscapes. The Kotohira Shrine holds its annual festival on November 10th, and a grand festival takes place once every twelve years in the Year of the Monkey. For the Kikkoman factory tour, advance reservation is recommended regardless of season.
Basic Information
| Name | Motegi Shichiroemon Family Residence Shin-gura (茂木七郎右衛門家住宅新蔵) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Category | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | March 27, 2018 |
| Period of Construction | Taishō era (1912–1926) |
| Building Type | Residential storehouse (kura) |
| Address | 339 Noda, Noda City, Chiba Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 2-minute walk from "Kikkoman-mae" bus stop (Mame Bus Routes 9, 11, 12 / Ibakyu Bus); approx. 10–15 minutes on foot from Noda-shi Station (Tobu Urban Park Line) |
| Interior Viewing | Not available (private residence). Kotohira Shrine opens on the 10th of each month. |
| Admission | Free (exterior viewing from public roads) |
References
- 茂木七郎右衛門家住宅（もぎしちろうえもんけじゅうたく）｜野田市ホームページ
- https://www.city.noda.chiba.jp/kurashi/kyoiku/bunka/1000585/1017161.html
- 茂木七郎右衛門家住宅主屋ほか／千葉県
- https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kyouiku/bunkazai/bunkazai/q111-103.html
- 茂木七郎右衛門家住宅主屋 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/364997
- 国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）茂木七郎右衛門家住宅主屋
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00012108
- 茂木七郎右衛門家住宅などが国の登録有形文化財に｜野田市ホームページ
- https://www.city.noda.chiba.jp/kurashi/oshirase/kyoikubunka/1012398.html
- 野田の醤油醸造 - Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%87%8E%E7%94%B0%E3%81%AE%E9%86%A4%E6%B2%B9%E9%86%B8%E9%80%A0
Last verified: 2026.03.12