A thick wall facing the highway
The Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse stands at 929-1 Tamachi-Ko in Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture, a two-storey Dozo-zukuri building of the late Meiji period listed as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2011 (Heisei 23). It has a Sangawara-buki Kirizuma-zukuri roof over 68 square meters. Chikusei City puts its construction at about 1908 (Meiji 41).
It faces north onto national Route 50, measuring 9.5 meters along the ridge by 6.8 meters across, tall for two storeys, with a Geya canopy across the front. The walls are plastered storehouse construction, except at the east gable, where dressed stone is left visible.
This is the only building on the plot that meets the street. The main house and the storehouse both stand behind it, out of view.
The road arrived and the building moved
In 1933 (Showa 8) the Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse was shifted to where it now stands, to clear the widening of Route 50. Chikusei City uses the local term hikimai for the operation, a form of Hikiya: the building is jacked up whole and hauled sideways on rollers or sledges, a little at a time, without being taken apart.
The city adds that a three-storey Western-style block was built on at the same time as a side storehouse. Road widening did not merely shave land off the frontage; it rearranged what stood there and changed what got built next.
Repairs followed in 1989 (Heisei 1), when the roof was relaid and the external walls made good. The registration number is 08-0254, listed as a building that contributes to the historic character of the landscape.
Black plaster above, 300 millimeters of wall below
The upper floor of the Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse is finished in black Shikkui, pierced by wide openings fitted with iron grilles. Vertical iron against a black wall gives the openings a hard, precise edge.
At ground level the shutters are Shitomido, boards hinged at the top that close flat against the frontage and swing up and outward to act as an awning.
Chikusei City records the external walls as 300 millimeters thick. That is storehouse fireproofing turned to face the main road, and it is why the building is described as having a heavy, solid frontage.
The dressed stone on the east gable reads quite differently from the built-up plaster around it. Stone and earth sit side by side in one small building.
Visiting the Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse
The Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse is privately owned and closed inside. Because it fronts Route 50, however, the exterior can be seen at close range from the pavement. Of the three listed buildings here, this is the one you can actually look at.
Photography from the pavement is fine. Traffic is heavy, so stay off the carriageway, and do not step past the gate or entrance.
The walk from the north exit of Shimodate Station takes about 10 minutes and covers roughly 700 meters. The JR Mito Line, the Kanto Railway Joso Line and the Moka Railway all pass through the station. Drivers should use paid parking near it. Details confirmed on 5 September 2026.
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Q&A
- Can I see the Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse from outside?
- Yes. The Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse faces north onto Route 50, so the exterior can be viewed closely from the pavement. The interior is not open.
- When was the Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse built and listed?
- It dates from the late Meiji period, around 1908 (Meiji 41) according to Chikusei City, and was listed as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 25 July 2011 under number 08-0254.
- Why was the Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse moved?
- To clear the widening of national Route 50 in 1933 (Showa 8). It was hauled to its present position whole, without dismantling, by the traditional building-moving method the city calls hikimai.
- How thick are the walls of the Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse?
- Chikusei City records them at 300 millimeters. That is the fireproof construction of a storehouse turned to face the main road, which is why the frontage looks so solid.
- Which station serves the Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse?
- Shimodate Station, about 700 meters away and roughly 10 minutes on foot from the north exit, served by the JR Mito Line, the Kanto Railway Joso Line and the Moka Railway.
Basic Information
| Name | Arakawa Family Residence Former Shop Storehouse |
|---|---|
| Location | 929-1 Tamachi-Ko, Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and adjacent lots |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered in 2011 (Heisei 23) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Dozo-zukuri, 2 storeys, tile roof, building area 68 square meters |
| Owner | Private individual |
| Public Access | Interior closed. Exterior viewable from the pavement |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Properties Database (Registered Tangible Cultural Property, Buildings)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00008634
- Ibaraki Prefectural Board of Education: Arakawa Family Residence, Main House and Two Others
- https://kyoiku.pref.ibaraki.jp/bunkazai/bunkazai-registered-6038/
- Chikusei City: Arakawa Family Residence (registration numbers 08-0253 to 08-0255)
- https://www.city.chikusei.lg.jp/kyouiku-bunka-sports/bunkazai/nationally-registered/page001170.html
Last verified: 2026.09.05