Original Face to the Road
Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse (樽平酒造樽蔵, Tarugura) is a two-storey earthen-walled storehouse in Nakakomatsu, Kawanishi Town, Yamagata Prefecture, built in the late Meiji period and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 5 November 1997 under registration number 06-0016.
It is a Dozo-zukuri building, 2 storeys, with a sheet-metal roof and a building area of 142 square metres. It stands on the east side of the highway, north of the Front Storehouse and across the road from the Storehouse.
The name suggests a store for barrels, but the Agency for Cultural Affairs says nothing about how it was used. What is certain is that the Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse has stood here, as part of a working brewery compound, since the late Meiji period.
Why It Was Registered
The Barrel Storehouse was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
The Agency notes that later material has been added to the gable end, but the side facing the road keeps its original arrangement. The distinguishing feature is the size of its openings, large for a storehouse. Most earthen-walled storehouses keep windows and doors small; this one opens generously to the street.
The Agency also observes that although a road now runs between it and the other brewery buildings, it still forms one continuous townscape with them. With the Front Storehouse, it holds the east side of that view.
What to Look For
Concentrate on the road side, where the original arrangement survives. Compare the width of the openings with the expanse of wall around them, and then with the Front Storehouse next door.
Walk round to the gable to find the later material. Setting old and newer work side by side shows how long the building has been kept in use.
From the west side of the highway, in front of the Storehouse, look back. Two earthen storehouses face each other across the road. Before the road, both stood inside the same compound.
Visiting the Barrel Storehouse
The exterior can be seen and photographed from the highway at any time. There is no announced public opening of the interior.
The Front Storehouse is immediately to the south. Directions and brewery-tour booking details are on the Taruhei Sake Brewery page.
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- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse
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Q&A
- How old is the Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the late Meiji period.
- What should I look at on the Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse?
- The road-facing side, which keeps its original arrangement, and its openings, large for a storehouse. The gable end carries later added material.
- Where is the Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse?
- On the east side of the highway, north of the Front Storehouse and across the road from the Storehouse.
- Can I go inside the Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse?
- There is no announced public opening of the interior. The exterior can be seen from the highway at any time.
- What kind of cultural property is the Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse?
- A Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building), registered on 5 November 1997 as number 06-0016 for its contribution to the historic landscape.
Basic Information
| Name | Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse (樽平酒造樽蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2910-1 Nakakomatsu, Kawanishi-machi, Higashiokitama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building); registration number 06-0016 |
| Year Designated | Registered 1997/11/5 (Heisei 9) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Dozo-zukuri, 2 storeys, sheet-metal roof; building area 142 square metres |
| Owner | Taruhei Shuzo Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Exterior viewable from the highway; no announced public opening of the interior |
References
- Cultural Heritage Database of Japan (Agency for Cultural Affairs): Taruhei Sake Brewery Barrel Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00000328
- Kawanishi Town: Taruhei Sake Brewery and Kikusui Kogeikan
- https://www.town.kawanishi.yamagata.jp/kyoiku/bunka/taruhei.html
Last verified: 2026.09.26
