About the Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse
The Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse (梶原家住宅隅蔵, Kajiwara-ke Jūtaku Sumigura) is a late Edo (1751 to 1829) earthen storehouse in the northwest corner of the Kajiwara estate in Oshio, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2009.
The Corner Storehouse is a two-storey dozo-zukuri building running north to south under a gabled roof of round tiles. It covers 16 square meters and is the oldest by date of the estate's 20 registered structures.
Shaped to Fit the Plot
The Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse is not rectangular but trapezoidal. Rather than square off the corner of the plot, the builders shaped the storehouse to fit it, so the long side measures 4.2 meters and the depth 3.9 meters.
Tall vertical boards (tateita-bari) cover the lower walls, with white shikkui plaster above. The rice storehouse to the south is finished the same way, so the two storehouses present a matching face along the west side of the estate.
Holding the Corner
The door and window open to the south, toward the rice storehouse. The database mentions openings on that side only, suggesting a building that turns inward to the compound.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs credits the Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse with giving shape to the northwest corner of the estate. Older than the 1853 main house, it still anchors that corner and, with the front gate and the caretaker's room, forms part of the estate's frontage on the northern street. Its listing is based on its contribution to the historic landscape.
Seeing the Corner Storehouse
The Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse is part of a private home and is not open to the public. Standing at the corner of the plot, part of its outer wall may be visible from the street to the north or the west, though this has not been checked on site.
Please photograph only from the public road. How to reach the estate is covered on the Kajiwara Family Residence (Nishi-Kajiwara) page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hyogo
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse
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Q&A
- How do you say the Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse in Japanese?
- Sumigura, meaning "corner storehouse".
- When was the Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse built?
- In the late Edo period (1751 to 1829), making it the oldest by date of the estate's 20 registered structures.
- Why is the Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse trapezoidal?
- Its plan was shaped to fit the northwest corner of the plot.
- Which way does the door of the Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse face?
- South, toward the rice storehouse, along with its window.
- Can the Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse be seen from outside?
- Part of its outer wall may be visible from the street, but this is unconfirmed. The interior is not open to the public.
Basic Information
| Name | Kajiwara Family Residence Corner Storehouse |
|---|---|
| Location | 457 Miyanomoto, Oshiocho, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | 2009 (registered) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Building area 16 m² (4.2 m on the long side by 3.9 m) |
| Owner | Private owner |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (private home; exterior from the street) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs database: 梶原家住宅隅蔵
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00007905
- Himeji City: 梶原家住宅（西梶原）隅蔵
- https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/kanko/0000001767.html
Last verified: 2026.09.30
