From the gatehouse to the main house
The Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge (平尾家住宅石橋) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the stone bridge leading from the gatehouse to the main house, built in the late Edo period and remodelled in the mid-Meiji era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0324).
The Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge crosses the Morio River on the line from the gatehouse to the main house, joining the southern, public half of the estate to the northern half where the family lived. It is the hinge of the whole plan.
Cart ruts run continuously from the gatehouse onto the bridge, showing that carts crossed here on their way to the earth-floored work area of the main house. About 10 metres to the west is the smaller service bridge.
A gently arched deck
The Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge is 3.0 metres long and 2.5 metres wide, with a slight arch. Both edges are worked into kerbs about 0.10 metres wide and 0.10 metres high, and the abutments rise at each side to frame the approach.
Leading the way to the house
The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes how the bridge and the ruts from the gatehouse draw the eye and the traffic toward the main house. Embankment, river, bridge and house line up here, showing the logic of the estate in a single view.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge lies behind the gatehouse and is not open; at most it can be glimpsed through the gate 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 Stone Bridge?
- In the middle of the Hirao estate, spanning the Morio River between the gatehouse and the main house.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0324. It dates from the late Edo period, remodelled in the mid-Meiji era.
- How does the Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge differ from the lower stone bridge?
- This is the main bridge from the gatehouse to the house, marked by cart ruts; the lower bridge about 10 metres west was the service crossing.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge?
- 3.0 metres long and 2.5 metres wide.
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge?
- No; at most it can be glimpsed through the gatehouse from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge (平尾家住宅石橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0324 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone; 3.0 metres long, 2.5 metres wide |
| 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 Stone Bridge
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006900
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Stone Bridge
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/172202
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
