The Oldest of the Twelve
Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse (小嶋総本店三号蔵) is a late Edo-period (1830–1868) earthen storehouse west of No. 2 in the Kojima Sohonten sake brewery in Honmachi, Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 6 March 2024. It is the oldest of the brewery's twelve registered buildings and carries number 06-0213.
A single-storey Dozo-zukuri storehouse under a detached iron-sheet gable roof, it covers 151 square metres, the largest footprint among the single-storey storehouses.
Its north doorway opens onto the workshop, and with No. 4 beside it forms the loading front along that covered work space. An Edo-period storehouse is still stitched into a compound mostly built later.
One Great Sweep of Roof
Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse was registered for its contribution to the historic townscape. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as a large storehouse whose main roof and western lean-to are laid as one continuous slope, so the roof on that side comes down in a single broad plane.
The north gable has plastered double doors, and the walls are plain Shikkui plaster, without the tiled skirt of Nos. 1 and 2.
Inside is a single earth-floored Doma. Some of the tie beams are doubled, and on them stand paired rafters propped at mid-span by struts, a pre-truss way of framing close in spirit to No. 1 and unlike the king post trusses of the later storehouses.
What to Look For
The long western roof slope of Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse, running down over the lean-to without a break, is the feature to find.
Its all-white walls also set it apart from the tiled skirts along the eastern street. Of everything on the site, this is the building that reaches back furthest.
Visiting
The Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse stands inside the compound, and only parts of its roof and walls show from the street. The interior is closed and the grounds cannot be entered; photographs can only be taken from the public road.
The brewing floor opens once a year during the 360° Yonezawa Open Factory, when the working storehouses are the focus of the tour. How much of No. 3, No. 4 and the workshop is shown varies with each year's programme.
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Q&A
- How old is Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse?
- It dates from the late Edo period, between 1830 and 1868, making it the oldest of the twelve registered buildings. It was registered on 6 March 2024.
- What makes Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse distinctive?
- A single continuous roof slope covers both the main body and the western lean-to, and inside, doubled tie beams carry paired rafters propped at mid-span.
- Can I see Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse from the street?
- Only partly. It stands inside the compound, and the interior is closed to the public.
- How big is Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse?
- It is a single-storey earthen storehouse with a building area of 151 square metres.
- Is there a sake tour or tasting near Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse?
- The Honmachi compound where Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse stands is normally closed, but the brewery's museum, Toko no Sakagura, a few minutes' walk away in Omachi, offers exhibits on sake-making and paid tastings. Check the Kojima Sohonten website for current hours and admission.
Basic Information
| Name | Kojima Sohonten No. 3 Storehouse (小嶋総本店三号蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 752 Honmachi 2-chome, Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture (and adjoining lots) |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2024/03/06 (Reiwa 6) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey dozo-zukuri storehouse, iron-sheet roof, building area 151 square metres |
| Owner | Kojima Sohonten Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Interior closed; stands inside the compound (brewery open one day a year) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties — 小嶋総本店三号蔵
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00014719
- Agency for Cultural Affairs press release — Council for Cultural Affairs report on registered buildings, 24 November 2023
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/93969901.html
- Agency for Cultural Affairs — List of buildings recommended for registration, 24 November 2023 (PDF)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/pdf/93969901_03.pdf
- Toko / Kojima Sohonten — Access
- https://www.sake-toko.co.jp/access/
- Toko / Kojima Sohonten — 360° Yonezawa Open Factory notice
- https://www.sake-toko.co.jp/news/4592/
Last verified: 2026.09.25
