What Is the Sato Family Residence New Storehouse?
The Sato Family Residence New Storehouse (佐藤家住宅新蔵, Satō-ke Jūtaku Shingura) is a two-storey earthen-walled storehouse built in 1922 on the Yokoya Sake Brewery and Sato Family Residence site in Senmaya, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2003.
It stands on the northeast edge of the grounds, south of the Harada Gate, with a building area of 46 square metres. The roof is gabled and tiled in interlocking pantiles, and the entrance is in the gable end. A ridge tablet records the year the frame went up. It is one year older than the Document Storehouse to its north.
Why It Was Registered
The registration criterion is that the building serves as a model of design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes the decorative touches applied throughout, at the walls, the eaves and around the door. Its registration number is 03-0036.
The three-band wall, brick at the base and lime plaster above, was repeated a year later on the Document Storehouse. Compare the two and the division of effort is clear: the New Storehouse lavishes attention on its eaves and doorway, the Document Storehouse on its windows. Same skeleton, different showpieces.
What to Look For
Look up at the eaves first. The Agency describes the eaves of the tiled roof as finished in the manner of namako, borrowing the plasterwork of namako-kabe walls and applying it instead to the roof edge. It shows in the outline of the roof as you look up.
Then the entrance. A small canopy hangs over the storehouse door (the tomae), held up by carved brackets. The Agency describes these brackets as unusual; a working part of the structure has been turned into ornament.
From the ground up, the finishes change: brick, then two bands of plaster, then the patterned eaves. Since the Sato Family Residence New Storehouse faces the grounds with its gable, step back from the front to see the layers stack up.
Visiting
On opening days of the Senmaya Sake no Kura Exchange Facility, the exterior of the Sato Family Residence New Storehouse can be seen from the grounds free of charge. Iwate's official tourism site lists a venue called the Shingura Live Hall, seating 40, which appears to be this building, so concerts and other events may offer a chance to go inside. The operator does not advertise regular interior access; to arrange a visit, contact Senmaya Machizukuri Co., Ltd. (tel. 0191-53-2070). Directions, opening days and hours are on the page for the Yokoya Sake Brewery and Sato Family Residence.
Q&A
- When was the Sato Family Residence New Storehouse built?
- In 1922, a date recorded on its ridge tablet. It was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on January 31, 2003.
- What is special about the Sato Family Residence New Storehouse?
- Its eaves are finished in the manner of namako-kabe plasterwork and the canopy over the door rests on unusual carved brackets. The walls rise in three bands from a brick base.
- Where is the Sato Family Residence New Storehouse?
- On the northeast edge of the grounds, south of the Harada Gate. The Document Storehouse, built a year later, stands north of the gate.
- Can you go inside the Sato Family Residence New Storehouse?
- Not as a rule. Iwate's tourism site lists a Shingura Live Hall used for events, which may give access; check with the operator.
- Is there a fee to see the Sato Family Residence New Storehouse?
- No. The exterior can be seen free of charge from the grounds on opening days.
Basic Information
| Name | Sato Family Residence New Storehouse (佐藤家住宅新蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 134 Kitakata, Senmaya, Senmaya-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2003/1/31 (Heisei 15) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Dozo-zukuri, 2 storeys, tiled roof, building area 46 square metres |
| Owner | Ichinoseki City |
| Public Access | Exterior viewable free of charge from the grounds on opening days; interior not regularly open |
References
- Sato Family Residence New Storehouse, Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00003025
- Senmaya Sake no Kura Exchange Facility (Senmaya Machizukuri Co., Ltd.)
- https://sakenokura.com/wp/kura/
- Senmaya Sake no Kura Exchange Facility (Iwate Prefecture official tourism site)
- https://iwatetabi.jp/spots/5535/
Last verified: 2026.09.26
