A storehouse behind the main house
The Storehouse of the Hanada-Imai Family Residence stands behind the main house in Mimayano, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture. It was built around 1875, in the early Meiji period, as part of a working farmstead.
A dozo is a Japanese fireproof storehouse with thick, plastered earthen walls, used to keep valuables, grain and tools safe from fire and damp. This one rises two storeys, with a gable-entry form and a separate placed roof, the oki-yane, set over the plastered body so that rain runs clear of the earthen walls beneath.
Plain form, considered detail
The exterior is finished in white lime plaster, with a high wainscot of vertical boarding protecting the lower walls from splashing rain. Inside, both floors are boarded, and a corner of each is partitioned off and fitted like a closet, a practical touch in a building meant for storage.
The storehouse is plain overall, yet the joinery around the front door was clearly given extra thought, the one place where a builder could show a little craft on an otherwise functional structure. Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in 2016, it was recognised for the part it plays in the historic character of the estate and its surroundings, rather than for size or ornament.
What to look for
The reward here is in the surfaces. The contrast between smooth white plaster above and the darker vertical boarding below gives the small building a clear, upright presence, and the worked door surround repays a closer look.
The storehouse sits within a private residence and is not generally open, but it reads well from the public lane alongside the main house and the other outbuildings. Visitors should confirm access with Gero City before making a special trip.
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Q&A
- What is a dozo?
- A dozo is a traditional fireproof storehouse with thick plastered walls, used to protect valuables, grain and tools from fire and damp.
- When was the storehouse built?
- It dates to about 1875 (early Meiji), a little later than the main house.
- What is the 'placed roof' (oki-yane)?
- It is a separate roof set over the plastered body of the storehouse so that rainwater is carried clear of the earthen walls beneath.
- Why is it a cultural property if it is so plain?
- It was registered in 2016 for contributing to the historic landscape of the estate. The care taken over the front door and the crisp plaster finish are part of its value.
- Can visitors go inside?
- No. It stands within a private home and is not generally open. The exterior can be seen from the public lane.
Basic Information
| Name | Hanada-Imai Family Residence Storehouse (花田今井家住宅蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 149-1 Hanadagaito, Mimayano, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture |
| Category | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registered | 29 November 2016 (registration no. 21-0246) |
| Count / scale | 1 building; floor area 38 m² |
| Structure | Dozo (plastered storehouse), two storeys, tiled placed roof, gable entry |
| Date | About Meiji 8 (c. 1875) |
| Public access | Private residence; exterior viewable from the public road. Confirm details with Gero City. |
References
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hanada-Imai Family Residence Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/299159
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Properties Database — Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00011312
- Gifu Prefecture, Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Buildings)
- https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/page/12417.html
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Registered Tangible Cultural Properties
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/toroku_yukei.html
Last verified: 2026.07.07