The big storehouse at the edge of the household
The Kobaien West Inner Storehouse (古梅園西内蔵, Kōbaien Nishi-uchigura) in Tsubaicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is a large storehouse running east to west near the centre of the plot 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 29-0011). The Kobaien West Inner Storehouse is a large storehouse running east to west near the centre of the plot, a little to the north. The private run of shop, main house and detached parlor ends here on the west, and beyond it the ink workshops begin.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Taishō era: earthen-walled dozō construction, 2 storeys, tiled, with a building area of 55 square metres, the largest of the 3 inner storehouses.
Hooded windows and sliding fire doors
A lean-to with a pantile roof is attached along the south side, giving a covered working space in front of the storehouse. Upstairs, openings on the east and south faces each have a small hood.
The walls are plastered with a stepped cornice, and the openings are fitted with fire doors that slide outward to close, a precaution against fire typical of town storehouses. From the lane to the north, the eaves of the Kobaien West Inner Storehouse show above those of the wall in front, in two distinct lines.
Seeing it
The Kobaien property is a private home and a working factory, and the interior of the Kobaien West Inner Storehouse is not open. Its exterior can be seen from the lane along the north side of the plot. From the lane, its eaves rise as a second line above the wall in front.
Shop hours, how to book a factory visit and directions from the station are on the Kobaien page.
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Q&A
- Where is the Kobaien West Inner Storehouse?
- Near the centre of the plot, slightly north, running east to west at the western edge of the family quarters.
- What are the features of the Kobaien West Inner Storehouse?
- A pantiled lean-to on the south, hooded upper windows, a plaster cornice and outward-sliding fire doors.
- How large is the Kobaien West Inner Storehouse?
- A 2-storey storehouse with a building area of 55 square metres.
- Can visitors see the Kobaien West Inner Storehouse?
- The interior is not open, but the exterior can be seen from the lane to the north.
- When was the Kobaien West Inner Storehouse registered as a cultural property?
- On 1998/01/16, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 29-0011.
Basic Information
| Name | Kobaien West Inner Storehouse (古梅園西内蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 7 Tsubakiicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 29-0011 |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/01/16 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled storehouse, 2 storeys, tiled roof; building area 55 square metres |
| Owner | Kobaien Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Interior not open; exterior visible from the lane to the north |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Kobaien West Inner Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000459
- Cultural Heritage Online — Kobaien West Inner Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/191459
- Kobaien Co., Ltd. — Company profile and opening hours
- https://kobaien.jp/profile.html
Last verified: 2026.10.02
