Okayama Prefecture Official Tourism Site

Okayama is home to many beautiful and tasteful historical buildings that were built between the Meiji period (1868-1912) and the Taisho period (1912-1926). Some are elegant, some stately, some exude warmth - the beautiful appearance of each building continues to fascinate us. This time, we visited five of Okayama Prefecture's modern buildings: Renaiss Hall, Okayama Temperance Hall, Hotaru Children's Library, Hakkaku Ensha, and the Former Okayama Kaikōsha. Why not join us in taking a look at the "timeless beauty" that each building speaks of?

• Table of Contents
• Former Bank of Japan Okayama Branch (Renaiss Hall) | A majestic bank building reminiscent of ancient Roman architecture
• Okayama Temperance Hall | A historic building built 100 years ago as a base for the temperance movement
• Hotaru Children's Library| A warm and welcoming library renovated from a Meiji-era elementary school building
• Former Kyokuto Kindergarten Hakkaku Ensha| A rare octagonal kindergarten building in the world
• Former Okayama Kaikōsha(General Ground Club) | An elegant Western-style building used as a social gathering place for army officers

Former Bank of Japan Okayama Branch (Renaiss Hall) | A majestic bank building reminiscent of ancient Roman architecture

Renaiss Hall is the former Okayama branch of the Bank of Japan, completed in 1922 (Taisho 11). It was designed by architect Nagano Uheiji, who was known as a leading figure in bank architecture at the time. Today, the building is known as "Renaiss Hall," and is used as a multi-purpose cultural facility for concerts, lectures, weddings, and more.

The impressive, majestic facade is reminiscent of the Maison Carrée in France (an ancient Roman temple) or the Pantheon in Rome. The building uses "entasis columns" (a technique from ancient Greek architecture), where the middle section of the column bulges slightly, and the capitals are decorated with Corinthian-style acanthus leaf motifs (a plant native to the Mediterranean). You can't help but stare at the gorgeous, stately architecture.

Location, access, and holidays

[Renaiss Hall (Okayama, former Bank of Japan Hall)]

Address: 1-6-20 Uchisange , Kita Ward, Okayama City Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 086-225-3003

Closed: Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays, and maintenance and inspection days

Access by car: Approximately 25 minutes from Okayama IC on the Sanyo Expressway

Access by public transport: Take the streetcar (towards Mount Higashiyama ) from JR Okayama Station for about 10 minutes and get off at "Kencho-dori" stop

Parking: None

Renaiss Hall| Official website

Okayama Temperance Hall | A historic building built 100 years ago as a base for the temperance movement

Okayama Temperance Hall Hall is located about a five-minute walk from Renaiss Hall . It was built in 1923 (Taisho 12), but the architect is unknown. Its distinctive exterior features a combination of "German walls," characterized by uneven surfaces created by spraying mortar onto the wall with a special tool, and white tile. It is a three-story wooden building with a hipped roof that slopes in all four directions, and the slate roof (thin sheet roofing material) is treated to create a ragged-gable roof on the third floor. It is a valuable building that survived the Okayama air raids of 1945 ( Showa 20) (air raids during World War II). It was designated a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in September 2002 (Heisei 14).

This building, with its striking sign reading "Temperance Hall," is the only one of the nation's temperance facilities that dates back to before the war. At the time, social unrest and a worsening economy meant that an increasing number of people were turning to alcohol. For this reason, it was built as a base for the temperance movement (a social movement to abstain from alcohol). In recent years, "sober curious" (a lifestyle that deliberately avoids alcohol) has been gaining attention worldwide. Although times have changed, social unrest and health concerns remain a driving force behind people's reexamination of their drinking habits. The Okayama Temperance Hall, which embraced this theme over 100 years ago, may have been a building that was ahead of its time.

Currently, the first floor houses a bookstore and cafe selling Christian books, while the second and third floors are used as a gallery and offices. The accessory shop on the third floor sells handmade accessories made with materials from Okayama, as well as Temperance Hall merchandise, so be sure to stop by.

Location, access, and holidays

[Okayama Temperance Hall ]

Address: 1-1-15 Marunouchi, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture Kita Ward

TEL: 086-222-6297 (Okayama Temperance Hall)

Business hours: 8:00-22:00 *Varies by facility.

Closed: Mondays *Depending on the facility

Access by car: Approximately 20 minutes from Okayama IC on the Sanyo Expressway

Access by public transport: Take the streetcar (towards Mount Higashiyama ) from JR Okayama Station for about 10 minutes and get off at Shiroshita Station

Or, about a 20-minute walk from JR Okayama Station

Parking: None

Okayama Temperance Hall| Official website

Hotaru Children's Library| A warm and welcoming library renovated from a Meiji-era elementary school building

"Hotaru Children's Library" was built in 1910 (Meiji 43) in Okayama Prefecture cho, Kumenan Town, Kume District as Akasaka Higher Elementary School (an elementary school at the time). It was designed by architect Egawa Saburohachi, who has worked on many school buildings in Okayama Prefecture. It is a two-story wooden building with a hipped roof, with a single-story building attached to the left. The relief (decorative relief) is the chrysanthemum crest, named after Akasaka Castle, built by Kusunoki Masashige (a military commander from the end of the Kamakura period to the Nanboku-cho period). Incidentally, although it may appear to be the main entrance at first glance, the actual entrance is on the left.

It is currently used as the "Hotaru Children's Library," where children can freely enjoy books. Of course, it is also open to university students and adults. Furnished with antique chairs and hanging chairs (chairs hanging from the ceiling), it is a space that combines the atmosphere of a stylish cafe with elements that will excite children.

One of the highlights inside is the large mural. This is a replica of the mural (on the east side) painted in 1949 by the famous Japanese artist Genichiro Inokuma. It was created in full size by students from Marugame High School, the predecessor to Inokuma's alma mater, for a special exhibition in 2021.

Location, access, and holidays

[Hotaru Children's Library ]

Address: 1434-7 Umaya , Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: None

Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11:00 to 16:00

Closed: Sunday to Tuesday, Golden Week, Obon, New Year's holidays, and book sorting periods

Nearest bus stop: Umayashita on the Uno Bus Mimasaka Line

Parking: Available (free)

Hotaru Children's Library| Official website

Former Kyokuto Kindergarten Hakkaku Ensha| A rare octagonal kindergarten building in the world

The "Hakkaku Ensha" was the kindergarten attached to Okayama City Asahito Elementary School, completed in 1908 (Meiji 41), and is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property that was relocated and restored to its current location in 1998 (Heisei 10). It was designed by architect Egawa Saburohachi, who also designed the former Akasaka Elementary School, which is home to the "Hotaru Children's Library." It is a valuable building, being the first kindergarten building in Japan to be designated an Important Cultural Property.

The structure is a single-story wooden building with a tiled roof, and is characterized by a plum blossom-shaped floor plan with a regular octagonal playroom in the Chuo and gabled nursery rooms on all four sides. The octagonal shape is rare worldwide, making it a valuable presence in the history of modern Japanese educational architecture. The exterior is a pseudo-Western style (Western-style Japanese architecture) seen in the early Meiji period, with white walls and pink wooden doors and window frames creating a warm and beautiful atmosphere. After being relocated and restored, it is now stocked with picture books and toys, creating a space where children can use it safely while enjoying this historical cultural asset.

Location, access, and holidays

[Hakkaku Ensha]

Address: 56 Futsukaichi-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama Prefecture Okayama City Kita Ward(within the grounds of Okayama City Chuo Library)

TEL: 086-226-2434

Opening hours: 9:30-16:30 (interior tours available until 16:15)

Closed: Mondays, second Sundays, public holidays (if Monday is a public holiday, the following day will also be closed), New Year's holidays (December 28th to January 4th)

Access by car: Approximately 30 minutes from Okayama IC on the Sanyo Expressway. Or approximately 25 minutes from Kimitsu IC on the Okayama Blue Line.

Access by public transport: Take the bus from JR Okayama Station to Okayama Airport (approx. 15 minutes) and get off at "Okayama Minami Eigyosho" bus stop, then walk for approx. 5 minutes

Parking: Okayama City Chuo Library Parking Lot No. 3 (free for up to 90 minutes, 100 yen per hour for any additional minutes)

Cultural Heritage Online (Agency for Cultural Affairs official website)

Former Okayama Kaikōsha(General Ground Club) | An elegant Western-style building used as a social gathering place for army officers

The Former Okayama Kaikōsha was built in 1910 (Meiji 43) as a social gathering place for army officers (senior officers in the former Japanese military). Kaikosha were military clubs established at division (military unit) locations across the country, and were used to deepen friendships among officers as well as for military research and improving their education. Okayama's Kaikosha was also a place where officers from the 17th Division gathered. The building has a hipped roof and a tiled roof, and the front veranda is elegantly supported by Ionic-style (ancient Greek architectural style) columns. As a modern Western-style building representative of the late Meiji period, it is now designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. On the day we visited, an event was being held and the building was bustling with people.

The interior is also gorgeous, with elegant decorations adorning the grounds. Stepping inside, you'll be thrilled by the beautiful space, which exudes the elegance of the Meiji era. It was also used as a filming location for the popular NHK morning drama series "Kumkum Everybody," bringing renewed attention to its classical beauty. It is currently preserved as the Okayama Prefecture General Ground Club (Former Okayama Kaikōsha), and the exterior is open to the public. The first floor houses a cafe, and the second floor houses a training room. The Okayama Prefecture General Ground is also home to the JFE Harenokuni Stadium, home to the Fagiano OKAYAMA team of the J.League (Japan's professional soccer league), and Shigetō Arena Okayama , home to the Okayama Seagulls of the SV League (Japan's professional volleyball league) and Tri-Hoop Okayama of the B.League (Japan's professional basketball league). Stop by after a sporting event.

Location, access, and holidays

[ Former Okayama Kaikōsha (General Ground Club)]

Address: 2-1-4 Izumicho , Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture

TEL: 086-253-3944

Access by car: Approximately 10 minutes from Okayama IC on the Sanyo Expressway

Access by public transport: Approximately 20 minutes on foot from the Athletic Park Exit (West Exit) of JR Okayama Station

Parking: Parking Lot 1 (255 cars), Parking Lot 2 (130 cars), Parking Lot 3 (95 cars) (free for up to 30 minutes, 100 yen per hour for any additional minutes)

Okayama Prefecture General Ground | Official website