The guest house east of the treasure storehouse
The Hirao Family Residence Detached House (平尾家住宅離れ) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the guest house used for receiving visitors, built in 1826 and remodelled in the Meiji era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0306).
The Hirao Family Residence Detached House is a 2-storey reception building linked by a covered passage to the east of the treasure storehouse. The inner garden spreads to its east and north, and the Onarimon gate opens to the south toward the river, suggesting that honoured guests could be brought in without passing through the main house.
It is an Edo-period building, the third oldest dated building on the estate after the new storehouse and the tool storehouse.
Formal rooms on both floors
The Hirao Family Residence Detached House has a roof that is hipped-gabled on the east and simply gabled on the west, covered in pantiles, with a building area of 126 m² plus its connecting passage.
On both floors the northeast room, looking onto the garden, is a formal tatami room with an alcove, staggered shelves and a built-in writing desk. The ground floor also has a formal step entrance, a guest lavatory and a bathroom.
Careful detailing
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as a high-quality building for receiving guests, carefully made down to the details. Two formal rooms stacked one above the other and both turned to the garden show how a headman's household entertained.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Detached House lies deep within the estate, is not open and cannot be seen from the road.
The story of the estate, what can be seen from the road and directions are on the Hirao Family Residence page.
Q&A
- Where is the Hirao Family Residence Detached House?
- North of the Morio River, east of the treasure storehouse, facing the inner garden.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Detached House registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0306. It dates from 1826, with Meiji-era remodelling.
- What was the Hirao Family Residence Detached House used for?
- Receiving guests: it has formal tatami rooms on both floors, a formal entrance and its own bathroom.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Detached House?
- A 2-storey timber building of 126 m², with a connecting passage.
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Detached House?
- No; it is closed and not visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Detached House (平尾家住宅離れ) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0306 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, 2 storeys, tiled roof; building area 126 m²; with connecting passage |
| Owner | Private individual |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (private residence) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Hirao Family Residence Detached House
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006883
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Detached House
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/153485
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
