Former Yamada Family Residence Rokkengura and Nikengura Storehouses

What the Former Yamada Family Residence Rokkengura and Nikengura Storehouses are

The Former Yamada Family Residence Rokkengura and Nikengura Storehouses (旧山田家住宅六間蔵及び二間蔵, Kyū-Yamada-ke Jūtaku Rokkengura oyobi Nikengura) are a long earthen storehouse built around 1880 in Ebe, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on November 29, 2016. They run north to south along the west edge of the estate, between the Corner Storehouse and the sake shop.

The names mean the six-Ken store and the two-ken store. The building is earthen-walled, single storey and roofed in pantiles (Sangawara-buki), with a building area of 139 m². One continuous roof covers a storehouse 26 metres long, with three doors on the courtyard side. It was used mainly for grain, and although basically a tall single storey, part of it has an upper floor.

Why they were registered

The Former Yamada Family Residence Rokkengura and Nikengura Storehouses were registered for contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes the single roof over such a long storehouse and the three inner doors, which together shape the view within the estate.

Two stores are named, but they make one registration under one roof. Nakano City notes that the building is joined by a wall to the Corner Storehouse at its north end and shares a continuous pantiled roof with the sake shop to the south, forming the west frontage. There is no water channel on this side, but the same rounded botamochi stones, white plaster and dark boarding repeat the north front.

The city says this storehouse, like the north row, was built with floods in mind. The upper floor of the Rokkengura was added after the Second World War.

What to look for

A 26-metre roofline

From the city road to the west, white walls and a tiled roof run unbroken for 26 metres. With the Corner Storehouse at one end and the sake shop at the other, this building makes up most of the estate's west side. Cross to the far side of the road to take in the full line of the roof.

From the inner lean-to

On the courtyard side the three doors face the garden. The city singles out the view of the storehouse from under the inner lean-to roof (Geya), together with the garden, as especially fine. Blank wall to the street, doors to the garden: compare the two faces.

Visiting the storehouses

Nakano City lists the Former Yamada Family Residence Rokkengura and Nikengura Storehouses among the buildings open to visitors, so they can be seen with a regular admission ticket on opening days. Visits are by advance booking. Part of the Rokkengura is also hired out, so check bookings for your day when you reserve.

Ask at reception whether indoor photography is allowed. Opening hours, admission and directions are on the Former Yamada Family Residence page.