About the Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block (former Sumi Pawnshop Miso Storehouse)
The Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block (寿美吉旅館厨房棟, former Sumi Pawnshop Miso Storehouse) is a two-storey earthen storehouse of the late Taisho era adjoining the north side of the main house of the Sumiyoshi Ryokan in Honmachi 4-chome, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 3, 2024. Once a miso store, it now holds a kitchen below and a storeroom above (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a two-storey earthen-walled building with a sheet-iron roof and a building area of 32 square metres, renovated in the early Showa period and in 1950; registration number 21-0305, with no owner listed. Sumiyoshi Ryokan is an inn on the west bank of the Miya River in central Takayama, originally the shop, house and storehouses of the Sumi pawnshop; its main house, kitchen wing and storehouse were registered on December 3, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that, together with the main house, it adds to the historic look of the street.
What to Look For
The Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block is a two-storey earthen store running north-south, with a separately framed gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri) roof of sheet iron set over the walls; the upper floor has sloping rafter beams (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
A sheet-iron lean-to projects on the west, its base finished in washed mortar and its upper part latticed (Agency for Cultural Affairs). From the street, the latticed lean-to in front of the earthen walls sits alongside the main house like part of a town house front.
Visiting the Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block (former Sumi Pawnshop Miso Storehouse)
The Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block is part of a working inn, so its interior is seen by staying there; we found no official information on visits by non-guests. Details are on the Sumiyoshi Ryokan page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Gifu
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block (former Sumi Pawnshop Miso Storehouse)
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Q&A
- When was the Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block built?
- In the late Taisho era, renovated in the early Showa period and in 1950 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was the Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block originally?
- A miso storehouse; it is now a kitchen below and storeroom above (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What does the Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block look like from the street?
- A lean-to with a washed-mortar base and lattice above, in front of the earthen walls (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block registered?
- On December 3, 2024.
- Can you visit the Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block?
- It is the kitchen of a working inn, and there is no official information on visits.
Basic Information
| Name | Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block (former Sumi Pawnshop Miso Storehouse) (寿美吉旅館厨房棟（旧住質店味噌蔵）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 4-21 Honmachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2024/12/3 (Reiwa 6) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | A two-storey earthen-walled building with a sheet-iron roof and a building area of 32 square metres, renovated in the early Showa period and in 1950 |
| Owner | Not listed in the national record |
| Public Access | Part of a working inn (exterior viewable from the street) |
References
- Sumiyoshi Ryokan Kitchen Block (former Sumi Pawnshop Miso Storehouse) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00015192
Last verified: 2026.10.06
