About the Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse
The Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse (中村家住宅米雑蔵, Nakamura-ke Jūtaku Komezatsugura) is a two-story earthen-walled storehouse in Onuki, Sakurae-cho, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, built in the late Edo period (1751 to 1829) and entered on Japan's register of Registered Tangible Cultural Properties on January 8, 2009. It was altered in the early Showa era, and with a building area of 72 square meters it is the largest building on the estate after the main house.
It stands southeast of the main house, south of the nando storehouse. As its name says, it held rice along with other produce and miscellaneous goods, and among the dated buildings of the Nakamura Family Residence it is one of the oldest.
A Long, Narrow Store with a Lean-to
The Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse measures 9.9 meters by 3.9 meters, about two and a half times as long as it is deep. It is built in the Dozo-zukuri manner, with a gabled roof (Kirizuma-zukuri) running north to south and laid with red Sekishū tiles (Sekishū-gawara).
Along the west side runs a lean-to (Geya) 3.0 meters deep, a covered work area stretching the full length of the building. The building area of 72 square meters presumably includes it.
Rice, Husks and Straw
The ground floor of the Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse is divided into two rooms, north and south. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the north room held rice and unhulled grain, and the south room held straw.
The lean-to on the west was where rice was polished and similar work was done. Grain came out of the north room, was processed under the eaves, and the straw went into the room next door, so the whole handling of the harvest took place in and around one building.
That clear division of storage and work is what makes the building worth attention. It shows not only how a storehouse was built but how a farming household organized its work.
Why the Storehouse Was Registered
The Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. It is the largest of the storehouses lined up southeast of the house and carries much of the weight of that view.
Built in the late Edo period and altered in the early Showa era, it stayed in use beside a main house rebuilt in 1882. It shows in concrete terms that the life of a village headman's (Shōya) household rested on rice.
Seeing the Storehouse
The Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse stands on private property southeast of the main house, and as of September 2026 we found no official notice of openings. The divided ground floor is inside and cannot be seen unless the owners open the building.
Please stay off the property and do not look into the grounds. Directions are on the Nakamura Family Residence (Gotsu) page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Shimane
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse
- [ Izumo Taisha Shrine & Adachi Museum Gardens ]
Q&A
- When was the Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse built?
- In the late Edo period (1751 to 1829). It was altered in the early Showa era.
- How big is the Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse?
- It measures 9.9 meters by 3.9 meters, with a lean-to 3.0 meters deep on the west side and a building area of 72 square meters.
- What was kept in the Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse?
- The ground floor is split into two rooms: rice and unhulled grain in the north room, straw in the south room.
- What was the lean-to of the Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse used for?
- Rice polishing and similar work was done in the lean-to on the west side.
- Can you visit the Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse?
- It is on private property, and we found no official information about openings. Please do not enter the grounds.
Basic Information
| Name | Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse (中村家住宅米雑蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 378-1 Onuki, Sakurae-cho, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | 2009 (registered) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 9.9 m by 3.9 m, lean-to 3.0 m deep; building area 72 square meters (earthen-walled storehouse, two stories, tiled roof) |
| Owner | Not disclosed |
| Public Access | No public opening announced (on private property) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs): Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00007549
- Cultural Heritage Online: Nakamura Family Residence Rice and Sundries Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/144811
- Shimane Prefecture: List of Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Structures)
- https://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/life/bunka/bunkazai/shimane/tourokubunkazai2.html
Last verified: 2026.09.29
