About the Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse
The Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse (西江家住宅道具蔵, Nishie-ke Jūtaku Dōgugura) is an early Meiji two-storey storehouse for household furnishings, standing at the far end of the rear garden behind the main house of the Nishie family estate in Nariwa-cho Sakamoto, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture; it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2003.
It has a footprint of about 54 square meters under a gabled, pantiled roof, with two doorways in the east wall of the ground floor.
The miso storehouse stands against its south side, and the two together form the western edge of the estate.
Why the Tool Storehouse Was Registered
It was registered as contributing to the historic landscape. The Agency for Cultural Affairs calls it a large storehouse of high quality that gives the western side of the estate its form.
Each wall carries a mizukiri, a narrow rain-shedding pent roof, set at different heights on the gable ends and the long sides, and the base, corners, band above the pent roof and gables are clad in Namako-kabe tiles. Among the estate's storehouses, only the grain storehouse and this one have tiling right up the gables.
Its size alone suggests a household with a great many possessions.
What to Look For
Start with the two doorways on the east side. A second door suggests either that the interior was divided or that large items needed an easier way in and out; published sources do not say which, but the paired doors facing the rear garden are the building's most striking feature.
Then look up at the gables. The black-and-white grid climbs all the way to the apex, giving the outline of the storehouse a crisp edge.
Seen beside the small miso storehouse to the south, the Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse shows how the family matched large and small storehouses in a single set of finishes to hold the back of the estate together.
Visiting the Tool Storehouse
There is no indication that the interior of the Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse is open. It stands at the back of the rear garden, and whether you can see its exterior depends on the tour on the day.
The estate is the Nishie family's home and visits are by reservation only. Phone photography is allowed, but exhibits may not be photographed and commercial shoots are not permitted; staff point out where the buildings can be photographed after you enter.
Directions and booking details are on the Nishie Family Residence page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Okayama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse
- [ Kurashiki Bikan District & Korakuen Garden Tours ]
Q&A
- What was kept in the Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse?
- According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, household furnishings. No published list of its contents exists.
- Where is the Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse?
- At the far end of the rear garden behind the main house, forming the western edge of the estate with the miso storehouse beside it.
- What are the main features of the Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse?
- It is a large storehouse of about 54 square meters with two ground-floor doorways on the east, pent roofs at different heights, and namako tiling on the base, corners and gables.
- Why is the Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered in 2003 as contributing to the historic landscape, as a large, well-built storehouse that shapes the west side of the estate.
- Can I see inside the Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse?
- There is no indication that the interior is open to visitors.
Basic Information
| Name | Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse |
|---|---|
| Location | 1604 Nariwa-cho Sakamoto, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | 2003 (Heisei 15) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Building area 54 square meters; storehouse construction, 2 storeys |
| Owner | Private (the Nishie family) |
| Public Access | Interior not open |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00003712
- Cultural Heritage Online: Nishie Family Residence Tool Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/169022
- Takahashi City Cultural Property Map: Nishie Family Residence Main House and others
- https://www.city.takahashi.lg.jp/bunkazai/map/0153.html
- Nishie Residence official site: Activity (opening and rules)
- https://inishiekaoru1647.wixsite.com/nishie-residence/%E6%96%BD%E8%A8%AD%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B
Last verified: 2026.09.24
