Beside the retirement house
The Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse (平尾家住宅塩噌蔵) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the storehouse for salt and miso, built in the late Edo period, moved in the mid-Meiji era and repaired in the later Showa era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0309).
The Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse is a single-storey earthen storehouse beside the west end of the retirement house. Placed on the private, kitchen side of the compound, it held the household's salt, miso and other daily provisions. The ceramics storehouse lies to the west, with its porch and back gate between the two.
Records date it to the late Edo period and state that it was moved to its present position in the mid-Meiji era.
A low storehouse with a south pent roof
The Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse faces south and measures 3 bays by 2 on a single storey, gabled and pantiled on an east-west ridge with a pent roof on the south. The walls are lime-plastered, with clapboard skirting on the front and mortar on the sides.
At the back the base is built up on stone, and the wall is boarded. The interior is earth-floored, with the clay walls left in their rough first coat.
A working larder
The rough clay walls and earth floor mark it as a working larder for miso tubs and the like rather than a display storehouse. With the new and ceramics storehouses it forms the cluster of stores behind the main house.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse is deep within the estate, closed, 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 Salt and Miso Storehouse?
- North of the Morio River, next to the west end of the retirement house.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0309. It dates from the late Edo period, moved in the mid-Meiji era and repaired in the later Showa era.
- What does the name of the Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse mean?
- The Japanese name, enso-gura, literally means salt and miso storehouse: a larder for daily provisions near the kitchen.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse?
- A single-storey storehouse of 3 bays by 2; the Agency's records do not give its floor area.
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse?
- No; it is closed and not visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse (平尾家住宅塩噌蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0309 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled storehouse, single storey, tiled roof (floor area not given in the Agency records) |
| 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 Salt and Miso Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006974
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Salt and Miso Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/183186
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
