About the Seishikan Guardhouse
The Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Guardhouse (静思館（旧冨田家住宅）番小屋, Seishikan Bankoya) is a single-story timber lodge built in 1934 in Ueno, Inagawa Town, Hyogo Prefecture, and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2004. The Agency for Cultural Affairs reads the name as bankoya; the town leaflet gives bangoya.
It stands at the southern tip of Tomita Kumasaku's estate, facing the access path that climbs from the old road. It measures 3 by 1.5 ken (a ken is about 1.8 m), with a building area of 20 m². A watchman lived here to keep an eye on the entrance, and with the Well Hut it sets the scene along the approach.
Why the Seishikan Guardhouse was registered
The Agency registered the Seishikan Guardhouse for its contribution to the historic landscape. Standing at the entrance from the road, it is the outermost building of the estate.
This is not a simple sentry box but a lodge with living space, and it shows in concrete terms how a large country house of the early 1930s kept a watchman at its gate.
What to look for at the Seishikan Guardhouse
The gabled tile roof has a slight upward swell along its slopes, known as mukuri. The curve softens the roof, and from the path below it looks gentle and low.
Inside, the west half holds an earth-floored entry and a two-mat room with a closet, and the east half a four-and-a-half-mat room, with a veranda on the east gable. The town leaflet says there is also a toilet. A pent roof shelters the north gable; the Agency's description breaks off mid-sentence at this point, and the rest has not been found.
Visiting the Seishikan Guardhouse
The Seishikan Guardhouse is outside the Front Gate near the start of the access path, so you see it on your way in. The town does not say whether the interior is open. It stands close to the road, so mind passing cars while you look.
Opening days and access are on the Seishikan page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hyogo
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Guardhouse
- [ Himeji Castle & Kobe Night View Cruise ]
Q&A
- Where is the Seishikan Guardhouse?
- At the southern tip of the estate, facing the access path from the old road, next to the Well Hut.
- How is the name of the Seishikan Guardhouse read?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs reads it bankoya; the town leaflet gives bangoya.
- What is the layout of the Seishikan Guardhouse?
- An earth-floored entry and a two-mat room with a closet on the west, a four-and-a-half-mat room on the east, and a veranda on the east gable. The town leaflet also mentions a toilet.
- How big is the Seishikan Guardhouse?
- It measures 3 by 1.5 ken, with a building area of 20 m².
- Why is the Seishikan Guardhouse a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered in 2004 for its contribution to the historic landscape, standing at the entrance and framing the approach.
Basic Information
| Name | Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Guardhouse (静思館（旧冨田家住宅）番小屋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 22 Ueno Machimawari, Inagawa Town, Kawabe District, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered in 2004 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 3 × 1.5 ken (ketayuki × harima), building area 20 m² |
| Owner | Inagawa Town |
| Public Access | Exterior visible (interior access not confirmed) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: 静思館（旧冨田家住宅）番小屋
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004172
- Inagawa Town: Inagawa Town Seishikan
- https://www.town.inagawa.lg.jp/soshiki/1036/gyomu/1/seishikan/6710.html
- Inagawa Town: Seishikan leaflet (PDF)
- https://www.town.inagawa.lg.jp/material/files/group/37/seishikan2.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.01
