Registered Tangible Cultural Properties · Hokkaido

Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse

Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse: The Largest Brick Store

The No. 1 Storehouse of Kobayashi Sake Brewery in Kuriyama, Hokkaido, a brick store of 1900 enlarged in 1918, is the largest store, with dentils at its eaves.

Designation Registered Tangible Cultural Properties

Location Hokkaido

The Largest Store at the Heart of the Brewery

The Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse (小林酒造一番蔵) is a brick sake storehouse of 1900 (enlarged 1918) in Nishiki, Kuriyama Town, Yubari District, Hokkaido, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 18, 2006 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a single-storey brick building with a sheet-iron roof and a building area of 473 square metres; registration number 01-0081.

A Long Store Running Through the Middle

The Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse runs east to west through the middle of the site, 26 ken by 6 ken in plan under a gabled sheet-iron roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Agency describes it as the largest storehouse of the brewery.

There is a doorway in each gable end and four more along the north side, facing the row of storehouses that runs from No. 2 to the koji room. The roof rests on king-post trusses, a Western form with a single central post in each truss (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Why It Was Registered

The Agency registered the Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse for its contribution to the historic landscape. It notes a row of dentils, small tooth-like blocks, along the eaves cornice, but otherwise plain design.

The Japan Heritage portal also singles it out among the brewery buildings as the largest store, built in 1900 and enlarged in 1918. It went up in the year the brewery moved its base to Kuriyama.

What to Look For

Follow the eaves and you will see small dentils set at regular intervals in the eaves cornice (Agency for Cultural Affairs). That is about all the ornament there is; the rest is long, plain brick wall.

The rice steaming house with its chimney stands just to the west, and the short distance between the two suggests how steamed rice was moved. Look too at the four north doorways facing the row of storehouses opposite.

Visiting

The storehouses are not open year round. The brewery shows their interiors to groups of 10 or more by reservation, and opens them to everyone at its sake festival on the second Saturday and Sunday of April. The Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse stands in the middle of the grounds, so its exterior can be seen on a walk round from the memorial hall.

Q&A

QWhen was the Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse built?: AIn 1900, and it was enlarged in 1918 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

QHow big is the No. 1 Storehouse?: AIt measures 26 ken by 6 ken, with a building area of 473 square metres, the largest store of the brewery.

QWhat should I look for at the No. 1 Storehouse?: AThe dentils along the eaves, the long brick walls and the four north doorways.

QCan I go inside the No. 1 Storehouse?: AOnly on reserved tours for groups of 10 or more, or during the April sake festival (brewery information).

QWhen was the Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse registered?: AOn October 18, 2006 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Basic Information

Name	Kobayashi Sake Brewery No. 1 Storehouse (小林酒造一番蔵)
Location	3-109 Nishiki, Kuriyama Town, Yubari District, Hokkaido
Designation	Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure)
Year Designated	Registered 2006/10/18 (Heisei 18)
Quantity	1 building
Dimensions	Single-storey brick, sheet-iron roof, 473 m²
Owner	Not listed in the Agency database
Public Access	Exterior viewable on the grounds (interior on group tours and at the April sake festival)