A gate for honoured guests
The Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall (平尾家住宅御成門及び塀) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the Onarimon gate south of the guest house entrance, with the wall along the river, built in the mid-Meiji era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0339).
The Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall consists of a gate south of the guest house entrance, facing the Morio River, and a wall running along the riverbank from its sides. An onarimon is a gate for receiving distinguished visitors, who could presumably be shown straight to the guest house without passing through the main house.
White plaster gate and 27 metres of wall
The gate of the Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall is a bracketed gate 2.5 metres wide, gabled and pantiled, with double doors 1.4 metres wide in the centre and white plaster panels over vertical boarding at each side.
The wall runs for 27 metres, plastered over vertical board skirting, with horizontal lattice windows and a small wicket.
Ceremony facing the river
Facing the river, the gate and wall announce the formal side of the guest house. With its lattice windows, the wall was made to look out as well as to enclose.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall is inside the estate, 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 Onarimon Gate and Wall?
- North of the Morio River, south of the guest house entrance, facing the river.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0339. It dates from the mid-Meiji era.
- What is the Onarimon of the Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall?
- A gate for receiving distinguished guests, opening south of the guest house entrance.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall?
- The gate is 2.5 metres wide and the wall 27 metres long.
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall?
- No; it is inside the private grounds and not visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall (平尾家住宅御成門及び塀) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0339 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Onarimon gate: timber, tiled, 2.5 metres wide, with side walls; wall: timber, tiled, 27 metres long, with wicket |
| 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 Onarimon Gate and Wall
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006915
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Onarimon Gate and Wall
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/119987
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
