About the Building
The Shoda Shoyu Archive Storehouse (正田醤油文庫蔵) is a two-storey clay-walled storehouse of the late Edo period, moved in 1987, on the grounds of Shoda Shoyu at Sakae-cho, Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on February 17, 2004 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as clay-walled, 2 storeys, tiled roof, building area 19 square metres, registration number 10-0107.
Shoda Shoyu and the Building
According to Shoda Shoyu, the Shoda family ran the rice dealership Yonebun from the Edo period, and the third Shoda Bun'emon turned the business to soy sauce brewing in 1873.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that it stands north of the memorial hall, was moved here with the old shop that became the hall, and now serves as the hall's store.
Value as a Registered Cultural Property
The Shoda Shoyu Archive Storehouse was registered as a structure contributing to the historic landscape of the country. Still used as the memorial hall's store, it conveys with the old shop the look of the Shoda family premises (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a two-storey gabled storehouse with pan tiles, two and a half bays by two, with a double door in the south gable end and an upper window fitted with double fire shutters.
Visiting
The Shoda Shoyu Archive Storehouse is within the Shoda Shoyu grounds at 3-1 Sakae-cho, Tatebayashi. It stands north of the Shoda Memorial Hall; the interior is not open, so check in advance whether the exterior can be seen when visiting the hall.
According to Shoda Shoyu, the Shoda Memorial Hall can be visited free of charge from 10:00 to 16:00 on company working days (closed weekends, holidays, summer break and New Year); groups of ten or more must book. Factory tours are currently suspended. It is a 2-minute walk from the west exit of Tatebayashi Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line. See the group page Shoda Shoyu (Tatebayashi) for all six registered buildings.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Gunma
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Shoda Shoyu Archive Storehouse
- [ Kusatsu Onsen & Tomioka Silk Mill Heritage Tours ]
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In the late Edo period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is it?
- Within the grounds of Shoda Shoyu at Sakae-cho, Tatebayashi (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What are its doors like?
- A double door in the south gable and an upper window with double fire shutters (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When did Shoda Shoyu begin brewing?
- In 1873, when the rice-dealing Shoda family turned to soy sauce (Shoda Shoyu).
- When was the Shoda Shoyu Archive Storehouse registered?
- On February 17, 2004.
Basic Information
| Name | Shoda Shoyu Archive Storehouse (正田醤油文庫蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3-1 Sakae-cho, Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2004/02/17 (Heisei 16) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Clay-walled, 2 storeys, tiled roof, building area 19 square metres |
| Owner | Shoda Shoyu Co. |
| Public Access | Within the brewery grounds; interior not open |
References
- Shoda Shoyu Archive Storehouse (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00003809
- Shoda Shoyu Shoda Memorial Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00003808
- Shoda Shoyu Brewery Storehouse No. 6 (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00003810
- Shoda Memorial Hall Visits (Shoda Shoyu)
- https://www.shoda.co.jp/facility/kinenkan
- Shoda Shoyu Shoda Memorial Hall (Japan Heritage Portal)
- https://japan-heritage.bunka.go.jp/ja/culturalproperties/result/4182/
Last verified: 2026.10.11
