A 1936 Rice Warehouse in Utazu
The Komesse Utazu (former Utazu Agricultural Cooperative Warehouse) (こめっせ宇多津（旧宇多津町農業協同組合倉庫）) is a single-storey timber warehouse of 1936 in Utazu Town, Ayauta District, Kagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on January 26, 2011. Renovated in 2008, it is now used as Komesse Utazu (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a single-storey timber building with a tiled roof and a building area of 161 square metres; registration number 37-0369, owned by Utazu Town.
Utazu's Old Town
According to the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual commentary, Utazu prospered as a port from the Muromachi period, and part of the old town south of the town office is known as Komachi, where historic temples, shrines and merchants' town houses line the streets; a doll festival draws many visitors every March.
Komesse Utazu stands across the road to the west of the town office (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Komesse Utazu was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that this large warehouse, single-storeyed yet more than 8 metres to the ridge, conveys the prosperity of Utazu.
What to Look For
The Komesse Utazu runs east-west under a gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri) pantile roof, with a lean-to along the whole south side. It measures 15 metres by 7.6 metres, with the lean-to 2.9 metres deep (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Though single-storeyed, it stands more than 8 metres to the ridge (Agency for Cultural Affairs), its height reflecting the volume of rice and produce the cooperative once stored.
Visiting Komesse Utazu
The Komesse Utazu is used as a town facility, but we could not confirm official opening hours; check with Utazu Town. The address is 1882-3 Utazu Town.
Q&A
- When was Komesse Utazu built?
- In 1936, renovated in 2008 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was Komesse Utazu originally?
- The warehouse of the Utazu agricultural cooperative (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How big is Komesse Utazu?
- 15 metres by 7.6 metres, single-storeyed but over 8 metres to the ridge (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is Komesse Utazu?
- Across the road to the west of the Utazu town office (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was Komesse Utazu registered?
- On January 26, 2011.
Basic Information
| Name | Komesse Utazu (former Utazu Agricultural Cooperative Warehouse) (こめっせ宇多津) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1882-3 Utazu Town, Ayauta District, Kagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2011/1/26 (Heisei 23) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber building, tiled roof, building area 161 square metres |
| Owner | Utazu Town |
| Public Access | Town facility (check use with Utazu Town) |
References
- Komesse Utazu (former Utazu Agricultural Cooperative Warehouse) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00008595
- Utazu Komachi (Japan Tourism Agency multilingual commentary)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/common/001558008.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.08