Hexagons Inspired by the Genbudo Cave
The Yutoya Ryokan Connecting Corridor (ゆとうや旅館渡り廊下) is a connecting corridor of playful design of the mid-Showa period in Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 4, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey building of reinforced concrete and timber, tiled and copper-roofed, with a building area of 168 square metres; registration number 28-0609.
Hexagons after the Genbudo Cave
The connecting corridor of Yutoya Ryokan links the buildings in the south of the site, with a bathroom and an arbour along the way (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is built of reinforced concrete and timber combined.
Its design is based on the sukiya style, but it brings in hexagonal plans and hexagonal lattice walls inspired by the nearby Genbudo Cave, a Natural Monument, and decorative windows shaped like pine, bamboo and plum, with playful forms throughout (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes its playful forms throughout, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the hexagonal plans and lattice walls inspired by the Genbudo Cave and the pine, bamboo and plum windows (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Yutoya Co., Ltd. (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The Eikitei, front gate and walls, storehouse and corridor are introduced together on the Yutoya Ryokan page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In the mid-Showa period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What lies along it?
- A bathroom and an arbour.
- Why the hexagons?
- They are inspired by the nearby Genbudo Cave.
- What shapes are the windows?
- Pine, bamboo and plum.
- When was the Yutoya Ryokan Connecting Corridor registered?
- On August 4, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Yutoya Ryokan Connecting Corridor (ゆとうや旅館渡り廊下) |
|---|---|
| Location | 373 Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2015/08/04 (Heisei 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey reinforced concrete and timber, tiled and copper roofs, 168 m² |
| Owner | Yutoya Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Yutoya Ryokan Connecting Corridor (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010683
Last verified: 2026.10.23
