About the Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse
The Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse (前田家住宅北の蔵, Maeda-ke Jūtaku Kita no Kura) in Tachibanacho, Imari City, Saga Prefecture, is a late Meiji-period earthen-walled storehouse that marks the northern boundary of the estate, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2001.
The North Storehouse is a Dozo-zukuri building with a gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri) tiled roof and a building area of 61 square meters. It dates from the late Meiji period (1868 to 1911), and the Firewood Shed adjoins its west side.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs lists it as single-story in its structure field but calls it two-story in its description.
Why the Maeda North Storehouse was registered
The Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. The agency sums it up as plain in design but carefully and solidly built.
It was put up as a storeroom at the far end of the back yard behind the main house. Unlike the East Storehouse, which serves the reception rooms, or the West Storehouse, which faces the street as part of the estate's public front, this was a working storehouse for everyday tools and supplies. That even a building with no display role was built with such care is part of why it was registered.
What to look for at the Maeda North Storehouse
On its south side, facing into the estate, the North Storehouse has a Geya lean-to that covers a Kuramae work space. Its front faces the back yard, convenient for people working there.
According to the agency, the eastern half of the lean-to is also closed off with a simple partition and used to store work tools. Storage spilled out beyond the storehouse proper into part of the covered work space, which suggests the tools for the yard's daily work were gathered here.
The Firewood Shed joins the North Storehouse on the west, and the gateway of the Water Mill on the street side opens into the same yard. Together these three buildings enclose the back yard as the estate's work area, with the North Storehouse holding its northern edge.
Visiting the Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse
The interior of the Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse is not open, and it is not included in the owners' rental spaces.
It stands at the back of the estate beyond the rear yard, and we have not confirmed if it can be seen from the street. If you visit on an opening day, ask the owners before stepping into the back yard or the storehouse work area. Opening days and directions are on the Maeda Family Residence page.
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Q&A
- When was the Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse built?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the late Meiji period (1868 to 1911). It was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on August 28, 2001.
- What was the Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse used for?
- It was built as a storeroom at the back of the yard behind the main house. Part of its lean-to is partitioned off to hold work tools.
- How large is the Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse?
- It is a gabled, tile-roofed earthen-walled storehouse with a building area of 61 square meters, with a lean-to on the south side sheltering its work space.
- Why was the Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse registered?
- It was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. The agency describes it as plain but carefully and solidly built.
- Can I visit the Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse?
- The interior is closed. It stands at the back of the estate, so ask the owners on an opening day if you may enter the back yard.
Basic Information
| Name | Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse |
|---|---|
| Location | 4028 Tachibanacho, Imari City, Saga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered August 28, 2001 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Building area 61 square meters |
| Owner | Private owner |
| Public Access | Interior closed |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs database: Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00002318
- Cultural Heritage Online: Maeda Family Residence North Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/138088
- Imari City: Maeda Family Residence (Japanese)
- https://www.city.imari.lg.jp/2977.htm
- Maeda Family Residence: guide to the house (Japanese)
- https://www.maedake-jyutaku.com/items
Last verified: 2026.10.10
