About the Baiso Storehouse
The Baiso Storehouse (梅荘蔵) is a small two-storey earthen storehouse of about 1907, northeast of the main building at the Baiso villa in Kojima-Kayo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 26, 2015. It is finished in black plaster and namako-kabe tilework.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as an earthen-walled storehouse of 2 storeys with a tiled roof and a building area of 11 square metres; registration number 33-0271, dated around 1907. No owner is listed in the national record, and Kurashiki City gives it as privately owned. Baiso was built as a villa by Nozaki Bukichiro, grandson of the salt-field magnate Nozaki Buzaemon, to commemorate victory in the Russo-Japanese War (Kurashiki City).
Why It Was Registered
The Baiso Storehouse was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that, although it is a small storehouse of 2 by 1.5 bays, its wall decoration and small eaves are well worth seeing.
What to Look For
The Baiso Storehouse is plastered in black, with namako-kabe tilework at the four corners and along the base on both floors (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The white lattice of the joints outlines the corners and foot of the little building.
The door is toward the east end of the south side, under a small roof. On the gable, above the upper window's hood, is decoration imitating namako-kabe, and a small tiled eave runs around the building between the floors (Agency for Cultural Affairs). From the gable end the window hood and the band of eaves stack up in tiers.
Visiting the Baiso Storehouse
Baiso is privately owned, and its main building is used as a restaurant (Kurashiki City). We found no official information on whether the Baiso Storehouse is open inside. Hours and directions are on the Baiso page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Okayama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Baiso Storehouse
- [ Kurashiki Bikan District & Korakuen Garden Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Baiso Storehouse built?
- Around 1907.
- How big is the Baiso Storehouse?
- 2 by 1.5 bays, with a building area of 11 square metres, on 2 storeys.
- When was the Baiso Storehouse registered as a cultural property?
- On March 26, 2015.
- What are the Baiso Storehouse walls like?
- Black plaster, with namako-kabe tilework at the corners and base of both floors.
- Who built the Baiso Storehouse?
- Nozaki Bukichiro, grandson of the salt-field magnate Nozaki Buzaemon, as part of the Baiso villa commemorating the Russo-Japanese War victory (Kurashiki City).
Basic Information
| Name | Baiso Storehouse (梅荘蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1200 Daimyojin, Kojima-Kayo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2015/3/26 (Heisei 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | An earthen-walled storehouse of 2 storeys with a tiled roof and a building area of 11 square metres |
| Owner | Private (not listed in the national record) |
| Public Access | No official information on interior access (main building is a restaurant) |
References
- Baiso Storehouse (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010509
- Baiso main building and four others (Kurashiki City, Cultural Properties Division)
- https://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp/24989.htm
Last verified: 2026.10.06
