What Is the Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse?
The Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse (旧玉置家住宅北土蔵, Kyū Tamaoki-ke Jūtaku Kita Dozō) is a late Meiji-period two-storey clay-walled storehouse raised on a flood-proof stone base at the river end of the Former Tamaoki Family Residence in Honmachi 2-chome, Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on February 14, 2002.
The government record gives a two-storey Dozo-zukuri building with a tiled roof and a building area of 26 m², the largest of the three registered storehouses; registration number 28-0096. It stands at the far end of the service wing that runs back from the earth-floored area of the main house, with a back gate between it and the east storehouse.
Why the Tamaoki North Storehouse Was Registered
The Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. The Agency for Cultural Affairs calls its round windows typical of this area and says that, together with the annex, the north storehouse gives the Minogawa riverbank its distinctive look. The residence faces the highway at the front; at the back it faces the river, and this storehouse is the centerpiece of that view.
Hyogo Prefecture's landscape guidelines describe the view of the Miki castle town district from the bridges over the Minogawa as three layers: river, buildings and hills. Standing right on the bank, the Tamaoki north storehouse is part of that middle layer.
What to Look for in the Tamaoki North Storehouse
A stone base against floods
The Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse stands on a base of stacked stone, which the Agency for Cultural Affairs explains as flood protection. As the storehouse closest to the river, it had to keep its contents above the water, and the height of the base shows how close the Minogawa runs.
A gable roof entered from the long side
The storehouse runs east to west, a two-storey Kirizuma-zukuri building roofed in Sangawara-buki pantiles with its entrance on the long side, a Hirairi layout. The government record gives its size as 2.5 ken (about 4.5 meters) by 3.5 ken (about 6.4 meters). The east storehouse in the same line has heavy hongawara tiles and a gable-end entrance, so the two differ in both roof and orientation.
Round windows
What catches the eye is the shape of the openings. The windows of the Tamaoki north storehouse are round, a form the Agency for Cultural Affairs regards as local to this area. Set in the white walls, they are easy to pick out from across the river.
Visiting the Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse
The Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse is best seen from the river side. From the north bank, toward Miki Station, you can take in the storehouse, its round windows and the annex beside it in a single view across the water. Miki City's newsletter lists "the two storehouses seen from the Miki Station side" among the highlights of the residence.
From inside the grounds it appears at the far end of the service wing, beyond the back gate north of the east storehouse. Miki City's information says nothing about opening the storehouse interior (checked October 2, 2026). Opening hours and directions are on the Former Tamaoki Family Residence page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hyogo
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse
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Q&A
- Why does the Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse stand on a high stone base?
- According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the stone base protects it from floods. It is the building closest to the Minogawa River.
- What is special about the round windows of the Tamaoki north storehouse?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs regards round window openings as typical of this area, and counts them among the features that give the riverbank its character.
- When was the Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse built?
- The government record dates it to the late Meiji period. It was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on February 14, 2002.
- Where is the best place to see the Tamaoki north storehouse?
- From the north side of the Minogawa River, toward Miki Station, where it lines up with the annex. Inside the grounds it is visible at the end of the service wing.
- How large is the Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse?
- It is a two-storey clay-walled storehouse with a building area of 26 m², the largest of the three registered storehouses.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-454 Honmachi, Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture (street address: 2-2-17 Honmachi) |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | 2002 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Building area 26 m² (two-storey clay-walled storehouse, tiled roof) |
| Owner | Miki City |
| Public Access | Exterior can be viewed (free; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed Tuesdays). No interior opening announced |
References
- Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse (Agency for Cultural Affairs database)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00002677
- Former Tamaoki Family Residence North Storehouse (Cultural Heritage Online)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/115757
- A tourism base: the Former Tamaoki Family Residence (Koho Miki, February 2023, Japanese)
- https://www.city.miki.lg.jp/site/mikinoeetoko/56670.html
- Former Tamaoki Family Residence (Miki City Tourism Promotion Division, Japanese)
- https://www.city.miki.lg.jp/soshiki/33/2986.html
- Landscape guidelines for the Miki castle town district (Hyogo Prefecture, PDF)
- https://www.city.miki.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/50874.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.02
