A shrine on the garden hill
The Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine (平尾家住宅祠) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a miniature shrine on the artificial hill of the inner garden, built in the early Showa era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0322).
The Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine is a miniature shrine set on the artificial hill of the inner garden, northeast of the guest house, and facing south. It was dedicated as a guardian of the household and also serves as a focal point in the garden seen from the guest rooms.
A tiny shrine in the flowing-roof style
The Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine is a one-bay shrine in the nagare-mise-dana style, with a sloping front roof over a shelf-like base, just 1 shaku 2 sun wide and 1 shaku 1 sun deep, roofed in pantiles and covering 0.12 m².
It stands on a sill on a base of rounded stones, with square posts tied by two tiers of horizontal rails and the beams and plates laid directly on the posts: the full form of a shrine building, in miniature.
A point of focus in the garden
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as an accent in the garden. It is where household devotion and garden design meet, framed by the guest house and the inner garden fences.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine is in the inner garden, not open and not visible 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 Hokora Shrine?
- North of the Morio River, on the artificial hill of the inner garden northeast of the guest house.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0322. It dates from the early Showa era.
- What style is the Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine?
- A one-bay shrine in the nagare-mise-dana style, with a pantiled roof, on a base of rounded stones.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine?
- 1 shaku 2 sun wide and 1 shaku 1 sun deep, covering 0.12 m².
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine?
- No; it is in the private inner garden and not visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine (平尾家住宅祠) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0322 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, tiled roof; building area 0.12 m² |
| 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 Hokora Shrine
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006898
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Hokora Shrine
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/191620
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
