About the Nagata Family Residence High Wall
The Nagata Family Residence High Wall (永田家住宅高塀, Nagata-ke Jūtaku Takabei) is a tall wall from the middle Meiji period (1883 to 1897) running along the north and east edges of the Nagata Family Residence in Shitori Nagata, Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and it became a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on January 26, 2011.
It turns a right angle to form an L, runs 27 meters in total and stands 4.3 meters high. It is a timber structure with a tile roof of the ryosage type, a gabled roof whose ends abut other structures and so show no gable boards.
Why It Was Registered
The Nagata Family Residence High Wall was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. The Agency for Cultural Affairs calls it a distinctive design that let the river breeze in from the north during summer.
A boundary wall usually exists to block wind, rain and prying eyes. The Nagata Family Residence High Wall is tall, at 4.3 meters, yet it was built on the assumption that it would be opened up in certain seasons, which makes it closer to a building with removable panels than to an ordinary wall.
A Wall That Opens to the River Breeze
The Nagata Family Residence High Wall rests on a sill laid over a cut-stone base. Square posts rise from the sill, and bracket arms carry the eave beam. Between the posts are not plastered panels but wooden storm shutters. In summer the shutters were taken down, and the breeze from the river to the north blew straight into the compound.
Minamiawaji City, captioning a photograph, explains that the removable panels of the high wall were taken off in summer to let in cool air from the river on the north side. Opening and closing with the seasons was built into the structure of the wall itself.
Visiting the Nagata Family Residence High Wall
This is the boundary wall of a private home, and the grounds cannot be entered.
Because the Nagata Family Residence High Wall runs along the outer north and east edges of the plot, its outer face may be visible from outside. Look from the public road only and be considerate of the residents. We could not confirm whether the shutters are still opened in summer today.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hyogo
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Nagata Family Residence High Wall
- [ Himeji Castle & Kobe Night View Cruise ]
Q&A
- Where is the Nagata Family Residence High Wall?
- It runs in an L shape along the north and east edges of the Nagata Family Residence.
- How large is the Nagata Family Residence High Wall?
- It is 27 meters long in total and 4.3 meters high.
- What makes the Nagata Family Residence High Wall unusual?
- Storm shutters fill the spaces between its posts, and in summer they were removed to let the breeze from the river to the north into the compound.
- When was the Nagata Family Residence High Wall built?
- The national database dates it to the middle Meiji period, 1883 to 1897. It was registered on January 26, 2011.
- Can I see the Nagata Family Residence High Wall?
- The grounds are private and cannot be entered, but the outer face may be visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Nagata Family Residence High Wall |
|---|---|
| Location | 1493 Aza-Yoshinobo, Shitori Nagata, Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered January 26, 2011 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 27 m long; 4.3 m high |
| Owner | Private individual (blank in the national database; per Minamiawaji City) |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (private residence) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties: 永田家住宅高塀 (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00008544
- Minamiawaji City: 永田家住宅高塀（たかべい）
- https://www.city.minamiawaji.hyogo.jp/bunkaisan/bunkazai/r-89.html
Last verified: 2026.10.04
