Two storehouses that work as one
The Kobaien Product Storehouse (古梅園商品蔵, Kōbaien Shōhingura) in Tsubaicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is the linked storehouses where finished ink is kept at Kobaien, the sumi ink maker founded in 1577; it was built early in the Taishō era (1912 to 1925) and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 1998/01/16 (number 29-0024). The Kobaien Product Storehouse stands west of the finishing workshop across a covered walkway, an earthen-walled storehouse in two linked parts. The eastern wing runs east to west with a low tsushi upper floor, and the western wing runs north to south and joins it. From outside they read as two storehouses, but there is no wall between them and the inside is used as one.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Taishō era: earthen-walled dozō construction, 2 storeys with a single-storey part, tiled, with a building area of 64 square metres.
From the finishing room to the store
Outside it follows the house standard for storehouses: a boarded base and a stepped plaster cornice under the eaves. Only a covered walkway separates it from the finishing workshop, so the store for finished goods sits right beside the room where they are completed.
To the north stands the changing room and storeroom, once rooms for live-in staff. The Kobaien Product Storehouse belongs to the very last stage of the ink-making process.
Seeing it
The Kobaien Product Storehouse lies inside the Kobaien property and is not open to the public; it can scarcely be seen from the street or the lanes.
Kobaien takes factory visits by reservation, with a hand-gripped ink experience in the ink-making season; ask when booking which buildings the visit includes. Shop hours, how to book a factory visit and directions from the station are on the Kobaien page.
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Q&A
- What is the Kobaien Product Storehouse?
- An earthen-walled store for finished ink, made of two linked wings used as one space.
- Where is the Kobaien Product Storehouse?
- West of the finishing workshop, across a covered walkway.
- How large is the Kobaien Product Storehouse?
- 2 storeys with a single-storey part, with a building area of 64 square metres.
- Can visitors see the Kobaien Product Storehouse?
- It is not open to the public. Factory visits are by reservation; ask Kobaien what the visit covers.
- When was the Kobaien Product Storehouse registered as a cultural property?
- On 1998/01/16, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 29-0024.
Basic Information
| Name | Kobaien Product Storehouse (古梅園商品蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 7 Tsubakiicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and other locations |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 29-0024 |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/01/16 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled storehouse, 2 storeys with a single-storey part, tiled roof; building area 64 square metres |
| Owner | Kobaien Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (factory visits by reservation) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Kobaien Product Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000472
- Cultural Heritage Online — Kobaien Product Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/165782
- Kobaien Co., Ltd. — Company profile and opening hours
- https://kobaien.jp/profile.html
Last verified: 2026.10.02
