A Household Store in the Dairoan Compound
The Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse (北方文化博物館東蔵, Higashigura) in Somi, Konan Ward, Niigata City, is a two-storey timber storehouse of the early Showa era, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 28 April 2000.
The Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse stands in the northeast of the estate, within the compound of the Dairoan, a house built in 1927 for a branch of the family. It faces north, covers 52 square metres, and was used to store household goods. The compound's rice storehouse stands nearby.
Built for Deep Eaves
The Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse was registered as a building that would be difficult to reproduce. It has two storeys, a gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri) pantile roof (Sangawara-buki) and a canopy over the entrance on the north side.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs highlights its careful construction: it rests on a low base of cut stone, carries a separate raised roof (okiyane), and extends the ends of its tie beams to support outrigger beams that create deep eaves.
An okiyane is a roof built on its own frame and set over the earthen walls, leaving a gap between the two. Carrying the eaves on projecting beam ends is a technique also found in Degeta-zukuri townhouses.
Look Up Under the Eaves
The best detail on the Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse is overhead. The beam ends push out through the wall and carry the outrigger beams above. Because the eaves project so far, standing beneath them shows clearly how beam ends and purlins stack.
At ground level, notice the low cut-stone base. Base and eaves serve the same purpose from opposite ends, keeping damp away from the walls.
The canopy on the north side gives the storehouse its front.
Visiting the East Storehouse
The Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse is in the northeast of the museum grounds, in the Dairoan compound. Nothing is published about interior access, so expect to see it from outside.
Ask at reception before taking photographs.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Niigata
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse
- [ Sado Island & Echigo-Yuzawa Ski Resort Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse built?
- In the early Showa era, as the national database records.
- What was the Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse used for?
- Storing the Ito family's household goods.
- What are the structural features of the Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse?
- A two-storey gabled storehouse with a separate raised roof, beam ends extended to carry outrigger beams for deep eaves, on a low cut-stone base.
- Where is the Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse?
- In the northeast of the estate, in the compound of the Dairoan, facing north.
- Why was the Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse registered?
- As a building difficult to reproduce, for its careful construction throughout.
Basic Information
| Name | Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-6970 Somi, Konan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2000/04/28 (Heisei 12) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, 2 storeys, tiled roof, building area 52 square metres |
| Owner | Northern Culture Museum (general incorporated foundation) |
| Public Access | On view within the museum grounds (closing days apply) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00001694
- Cultural Heritage Online: Northern Culture Museum East Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/114574
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Northern Culture Museum Dairoan
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00001693
Last verified: 2026.09.17
