About the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse
The Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Northwest Storehouse (静思館（旧冨田家住宅）乾蔵, Seishikan Inuigura) is a two-story plastered storehouse built in 1934 in Ueno, Inagawa Town, Hyogo Prefecture, and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2004.
Inui is an old name for the northwest, and the storehouse stands in the northwest corner of Tomita Kumasaku's estate. It measures 4.5 by 2.5 ken (a ken is about 1.8 m), with a building area of 40 m², making it the largest of the four storehouses at Seishikan. The gabled roof is laid with pantiles.
Why the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse was registered
The Agency for Cultural Affairs registered the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse for its contribution to the historic landscape. Three white storehouses stand in a row along the north side, Northwest, Middle and Clothing from west to east, and together they form the back of the estate. The Northwest Storehouse anchors the west end of that row.
The three share the same wall finish and window hoods, with this one setting the scale. The row is also visible from outside the estate, above the earthen wall to the north, and it is part of how Seishikan looks from the village.
What to look for at the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse
The Seishikan Northwest Storehouse sits on a cut-stone base pierced with vents, so air can move under the floor. The walls are white Shikkui plaster above vertical board cladding, a standard way of keeping a storehouse dry.
There is one window on the gable end and two on the long side, each with a small hood carried on brackets. The door is toward the east end of the south wall, under a tiled canopy. The town leaflet adds that even the door frames inside are plastered white and that the stair to the upper floor was built at a gentle pitch.
Visiting the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse
The town does not say whether the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse can be entered; ask the caretaker on the day. Go through the Service Gate into the back yard to see its south wall and door.
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) Northwest Storehouse
- [ Himeji Castle & Kobe Night View Cruise ]
Q&A
- What does the name of the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse mean?
- It is called Inuigura in Japanese; inui is an old word for the northwest, and the storehouse stands in the northwest corner of the estate.
- How big is the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse?
- It is a two-story storehouse 4.5 by 2.5 ken, with a building area of 40 m², the largest of the four at Seishikan.
- Why is the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered in 2004 for its contribution to the historic landscape, as the west end of the row of storehouses on the north side.
- What does the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse look like?
- White plaster walls over vertical board cladding, a vented cut-stone base, and small window hoods on brackets.
- Can I see inside the Seishikan Northwest Storehouse?
- The town does not state whether it is open. The exterior can be seen from the back yard; ask the caretaker on the day.
Basic Information
| Name | Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Northwest Storehouse (静思館（旧冨田家住宅）乾蔵) |
|---|---|
| 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 | 4.5 × 2.5 ken (ketayuki × harima), building area 40 m² |
| Owner | Inagawa Town |
| Public Access | Open to the public as Seishikan (free; closed Mondays) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: 静思館（旧冨田家住宅）乾蔵
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004159
- Cultural Heritage Online: 静思館（旧冨田家住宅）乾蔵
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/195159
- 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
