A well between two buildings
The Hirao Family Residence Well House (平尾家住宅井戸屋) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the shelter over a stone-built well, built 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 28-0332).
The Hirao Family Residence Well House is a shelter over a well at the west end of the carpenters' shed's south side, east of the rice storehouse. Its roof is an asymmetrical extension of the rice storehouse's south pent roof, making neat use of the space between the two buildings.
The water tower stands just to the east, part of the same system for lifting well water and supplying the household.
A stone well in a rammed-earth floor
The Hirao Family Residence Well House is 2.7 metres square, covering 6.1 m². Square posts stand on a continuous cut-stone footing, tied with beams and tie rails.
Near the centre is a stone well curb 0.38 metres high and 1.2 metres square, set in a floor of rammed earth.
Water for the household
Even with a river running through the grounds, drinking and cooking water came from wells. With the river washing place, the well house shows how the household divided its uses of water.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Well House 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 Well House?
- On the south side of the Hirao estate, east of the rice storehouse against the carpenters' shed.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Well House registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0332. It dates from the mid-Meiji era, repaired in the later Showa era.
- What does the well in the Hirao Family Residence Well House look like?
- A stone curb 0.38 metres high and 1.2 metres square, in a rammed-earth floor.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Well House?
- The shelter is 2.7 metres square, covering 6.1 m².
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Well House?
- No; it is inside the outer wall and closed.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Well House (平尾家住宅井戸屋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0332 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof; area 6.1 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 Well House
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006908
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Well House
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/191630
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
