Provided is an article keeping apparatus which includes a plurality of receiving parts for receiving the conveying containers of substrates and an inert gas supplying path for supplying inert gases to the plurality of receiving parts. The plurality of receiving parts is divided into a plurality of areas. The inert gas supplying path is provided with an area supplying part for supplying the inert gases to an area, and a supplying part for the receiving parts supplying the inert gas supplied to the area by the area supplying part to the plurality of receiving parts in the area. The article keeping apparatus includes a bypass part making more than two supplying parts for the receiving parts in a mutual communication and a bypass switching valve which is capable of switching to the opening state allowing the communication of the inert gases at the bypass part or switching to the closing state non-communication of the inert gases at the bypass part.