A Brewery Store Turned Gallery
The Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery (西尾家住宅土蔵ギャラリー, Nishio-ke Jūtaku Dozō Gyararī) is a late Meiji-era Dozo-zukuri earthen storehouse south of the main house at the Nishio Family Residence in Oyamakami, Tambasasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 23 July 2004.
Its ridge runs roughly east to west. It measures 8 ken by 5 ken, a building area of 156 square metres, mostly single-storey with a partial 2nd floor, under a gabled Sangawara-buki tile roof.
When it was registered, the Agency for Cultural Affairs recorded that the building served as a museum of the Nishio main family, with its eastern half used as a display gallery. That use gave the Nishio Storehouse Gallery its name.
Why It Was Registered
The Storehouse Gallery was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape. Together with the long sake brewery that extends from the southeast of the main house, it closes off the east side of the compound with a continuous wall of storehouses.
Its finishes match the other brewery buildings: a granite base, vertical boarding on the lower walls, Shikkui plaster above, and plaster carried right up under the eaves. It shows clearly how the Nishio brewery buildings were built to a single standard.
What to Look At
From footing to eaves
On the Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery, the boarded lower wall stands on a stacked granite base and plaster covers everything above, including the underside of the eaves, so almost no timber is exposed. Plastering the eaves in this way is a storehouse technique meant to stop fire from getting in under the roof.
Mostly one storey
Most of the building is a single storey, with an upper floor over part of it. The eastern half was given over to the display gallery.
One wall with the brewery
Running roughly east to west south of the main house, the gallery meets the north-south sake brewery to form the eastern edge of the compound. With the same finishes on both, the east side reads as one unbroken line of white walls.
Visiting
The Agency's description from the time of registration says the Storehouse Gallery was used as a museum, but as of October 2026 no public information on opening days or how to arrange a visit could be found. Do not assume it will be open, and please do not enter the grounds.
The building stands south of the main house on the east side of the compound. How much of it can be seen from outside has not been confirmed.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hyogo
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery
- [ Himeji Castle & Kobe Night View Cruise ]
Q&A
- When was the Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery built?
- It dates from the late Meiji era and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 23 July 2004.
- Why is it called the Storehouse Gallery?
- According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs at the time of registration, the Nishio storehouse served as a museum of the Nishio main family, with its eastern half used as a display gallery.
- How large is the Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery?
- It is an earthen storehouse, mostly single-storey with a partial 2nd floor and a gabled tile roof, 8 ken by 5 ken, with a building area of 156 square metres.
- What are the walls of the Nishio Storehouse Gallery like?
- A granite base, vertical boarding on the lower walls and white plaster above, carried right up under the eaves, the same finish as the other brewery buildings.
- Can I visit the Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery?
- As of October 2026 no public information on opening days or visits could be found, so do not assume it will be open.
Basic Information
| Name | Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery (西尾家住宅土蔵ギャラリー) |
|---|---|
| Location | 699 Oyamakami, Tambasasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2004/7/23 (Heisei 16) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen storehouse, single storey with partial 2nd floor, tiled roof, building area 156 square metres |
| Owner | Private (owner field blank in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database) |
| Public Access | No published opening (used as a museum at the time of registration) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004279
- Cultural Heritage Online: Nishio Family Residence Storehouse Gallery (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/195279
Last verified: 2026.10.08
