Beside the well house
The Hirao Family Residence Water Tower (平尾家住宅給水塔) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a steel-framed water tower carrying a sheet-steel tank, built in the early Showa era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0333).
The Hirao Family Residence Water Tower is a steel-framed tower east of the well house. Water pumped up from the well was held in its raised tank, presumably to feed by gravity to other parts of the estate.
It is evidence of the household's water supply being modernised in the early Showa era.
Angle-iron frame and tank
The Hirao Family Residence Water Tower consists of a sheet-steel tank 0.95 metres square and 1.0 metres high on a tapering frame. Angle-iron posts are divided into 2 tiers by horizontal angle irons and braced with flat bars, except that the lower tier on the well side is shaped as an arch.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records differ on its height: the structure entry gives 5.5 metres, while the description gives an overall height of 4.0 metres.
Modern plumbing on a farm estate
A steel water tower among Edo-period storehouses and sheds shows a landowning household adopting modern services early, the same interest in new technology seen in the Western trusses of the main house.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Water Tower is inside the outer wall and not open.
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 Water Tower?
- On the south side of the Hirao estate, east of the well house.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Water Tower registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0333. It dates from the early Showa era.
- How is the Hirao Family Residence Water Tower built?
- A tapering two-tier angle-iron frame braced with flat bars, topped by a sheet-steel tank; the lower tier on the well side is arched.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Water Tower?
- The tank is 0.95 metres square and 1.0 metres high; the Agency records give the overall height as either 5.5 metres or 4.0 metres.
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Water Tower?
- No; it is inside the outer wall and closed.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Water Tower (平尾家住宅給水塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0333 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Steel frame, sheet-metal roof; height 5.5 metres |
| 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 Water Tower
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006909
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Water Tower
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/144171
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
