A Stone Rice Store and Mill
The Sekinoichi Sake Brewery Former Rice Store and Mill (世嬉の一酒造場旧原料米置場・精米所) is a stone rice store and mill designed by Obara Yusuke of 1919 in Tamuracho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 23, 1999 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey stone building with a tiled roof and a building area of 178 square metres; registration number 03-0021.
A Brewery by the Iwai River
The Sekinoichi brewery stands by the Iwai River, on part of the former quarter of the middle and lower samurai of the Ichinoseki domain (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Sato Tokuzo of Surisawa Village bought the Kumabun brewery and rebuilt it, to designs by his cousin Obara Yusuke, a pupil of Tatsuno Kingo.
The former rice store and mill, of 1919, is a single-storey stone building with a tiled roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Remodelled together with the former koji room behind it, it is now used for the brewery's craft beer.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
At the former rice store and mill, look for the stone walls designed by Obara Yusuke and the way the building joins the old koji room behind (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
They are owned by Sekinoichi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the company, the Sake Folk Culture Museum in the former brewing storehouse opens from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with admission of 300 yen (200 yen for elementary and junior high school students). The other buildings are in use by the brewery. The 7 buildings are introduced together on the Sekinoichi Sake Brewery page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1919 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who designed it?
- Obara Yusuke.
- Who founded the brewery?
- Sato Tokuzo, who bought the Kumabun brewery.
- How is it used now?
- For the brewery's craft beer.
- When was the Sekinoichi Sake Brewery Former Rice Store and Mill registered?
- On August 23, 1999 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sekinoichi Sake Brewery Former Rice Store and Mill (世嬉の一酒造場旧原料米置場・精米所) |
|---|---|
| Location | 14 Tamuracho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1999/08/23 (Heisei 11) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey stone, tiled roof, 178 m² |
| Owner | Sekinoichi Shuzo Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | The museum in the former brewing storehouse is open |
References
- Sekinoichi Sake Brewery Former Rice Store and Mill (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00001223
- Museum and Literature Hall (Sekinoichi Shuzo, in Japanese)
- https://sekinoichi.co.jp/museum/
Last verified: 2026.10.30
