The eight-bay rice store
The Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse (森田家住宅旧米蔵, Morita-ke Jūtaku Kyū-komegura) is a large two-storey earthen storehouse in Ogawa, Akiruno City, Tokyo, built between 1830 and 1868, converted into a restaurant in 1996 and listed as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 24 December 2013, registration number 13-0318.
The Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse stands west of the main house near the western edge of the grounds, its ridge running north to south. The gabled Dozo-zukuri building measures 14.6 metres by 7.3 metres, with a building area of 107 square metres, easily the largest storehouse on the property. The family says it was known at home as "Hachiken", eight bays, after its length.
It is the only one of the nine registered under the neighbouring lot number, 633-4 Konaka, and its owner is recorded as Hisamori Ltd., a company named after the household's trade name.
Why it was listed
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes the Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse simply as a large rice store. Inside it is divided into two rooms, north and south, and the family describes it as two equal storehouses built side by side and joined into one.
Rice paid the land tax and was the raw material for sake. For a household that brewed from the Genroku era to the end of the Edo period, the size of this store is a measure of the business.
The conversion into a restaurant took about two and a half years and was completed in 1996, but the family states that nearly all of the original posts, beams, roof frame and walls remain.
What to look for
The walls of the Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse are left at the intermediate plaster coat, without the final white skim. Beside the bright Shikkui of the west storehouse and the miso store, the surface keeps an earthy, muted tone.
The upper floor has barred windows closed by earthen shutters (Tsuchido) that slide to one side. The roof is a detached pantiled one, and the frame beneath it is built with raking beams that climb from the eaves toward the ridge.
Visiting
The Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse is now Tōtōan (燈々庵), a kaiseki restaurant with a gallery, and diners can go inside. Lunch guests are received between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and dinner guests between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; the restaurant closes at 9 p.m. Dinner must be reserved by the previous business day, and closing days are shown on the restaurant's calendar.
Just inside the entrance is a gallery of ceramics, with pieces for sale. There is no posted rule on photography, so ask the staff before taking pictures indoors. Directions are on the Morita Family Residence page.
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Q&A
- Can you go inside the Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse?
- Yes. The Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse is the kaiseki restaurant Tōtōan, and diners can enter. Lunch guests are received between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., dinner guests between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; dinner needs a reservation by the previous business day.
- When was the Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse built?
- In the late Edo period, between 1830 and 1868. It was converted into a restaurant in 1996.
- Why was the Morita rice storehouse called Hachiken?
- Because it is eight bays long; the family says it was known by that name at home.
- How large is the Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse?
- It is a two-storey earthen storehouse measuring 14.6 metres by 7.3 metres, with a building area of 107 square metres, divided inside into north and south rooms.
- When was the Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse registered?
- On 24 December 2013, as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property with registration number 13-0318.
Basic Information
| Name | Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse (森田家住宅旧米蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 633-4 Konaka, Ogawa, Akiruno City, Tokyo |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2013/12/24 (Heisei 25); registration no. 13-0318 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen storehouse, 2 storeys; 14.6 metres by 7.3 metres; building area 107 square metres |
| Owner | Hisamori Ltd. (有限会社久森) |
| Public Access | Open as the restaurant Tōtōan (diners may enter) |
References
- National Cultural Properties Database, Agency for Cultural Affairs: Morita Family Residence Former Rice Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00009733
- Kanmi Sabō Misegura Hisamori: cultural properties
- https://www.hisamori.biz/pages/10/
- Tōtōan official site
- https://tou-touan.com/
- Akiruno City: designated and registered cultural properties in Akiruno
- https://www.city.akiruno.tokyo.jp/kanko/0000001910.html
Last verified: 2026.09.25
