Japan's Historic Warehouses & Storehouses

About this book

Written and produced in Japan by Aki Wakamatsu. Japan's wealth was kept in kura — fireproof earthen storehouses with white namako walls, heavy tile roofs and doors sealed against fire. This complete guide covers 200 kura, merchant storehouses and warehouse districts nationwide, from Otaru and Hakodate canal warehouses to Kawagoe's kurazukuri streets, Kurashiki's Bikan quarter, Kitakata, Kurayoshi, Sawara, Uchiko and Yame. Every entry tells you what was stored, why the building looks the way it does, what to examine on its walls, roof and doors, whether you can go inside today, and the best time to visit. Includes a How to Read a Kura introduction, 12 district walking routes and a full glossary. For travellers who want the working, trading Japan behind the castles and shrines.