The Former Main Building of the Fifty-Ninth National Bank, now known as the Aomori Michinoku Bank Memorial Museum, is a historic building in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Completed in 1904 during the Meiji period, the building originally served as the head office of the Fifty-Ninth National Bank, the predecessor of today’s Aomori Michinoku Bank.
After the bank moved to a new building, the historic structure was preserved and opened to the public as a memorial museum in 1967. It was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1972, recognizing its outstanding architectural design, construction techniques, and historical importance.
Today, the building is one of Hirosaki’s most distinctive examples of Meiji-era Western-style architecture. Its elegant appearance and richly decorated interior provide visitors with an opportunity to experience the period when Western architectural ideas were being introduced and adapted to Japan.
The building is a two-story wooden structure inspired by Renaissance architecture. Its symmetrical facade, white walls, and mint-green decorative elements create a refined and striking appearance.
The use of local materials is another important feature. Zelkova wood from Aomori Prefecture was used for the structural pillars, while locally produced hiba cypress was used for doors, windows, and other fittings.
Although the overall appearance is strongly influenced by Western architecture, traditional Japanese craftsmanship can be seen throughout the building. This combination of Western design and local construction techniques makes the building an excellent example of the Japanese adaptation of Western architecture during the Meiji period.
The building was designed and constructed by Sakichi Horie, one of the most celebrated master carpenters in Hirosaki. Horie was known for his ability to combine traditional Japanese construction techniques with Western architectural styles.
The bank’s president, Iichi Iwabuchi, placed great confidence in Horie and gave him considerable freedom to create the building. As a result, the structure incorporates many of the skills and ideas Horie had developed throughout his career.
The construction cost was approximately 67,000 yen, an exceptionally large amount for a building in Hirosaki at the time. The completed structure is regarded as one of Horie’s finest works and is often described as the culmination of his career as a master builder.
The building faced demolition in 1965 when the Hirosaki branch of the bank was scheduled to move into a newly constructed facility. However, local residents, the chamber of commerce, and people involved in cultural heritage preservation strongly argued that the historic building should be saved.
As a result, an unusual relocation method known as hikiya was used. Instead of demolishing the structure, the entire building was moved approximately 50 meters from its original position while being rotated 90 degrees.
This remarkable preservation project allowed the historic structure to survive. In 1967, it opened to the public as the Aomori Bank Memorial Museum. In 2018, the building was donated by Aomori Bank to Hirosaki City, ensuring that it would continue to be preserved as an important part of the city’s architectural heritage.
In 1972, the building and its original ridge plaque were designated National Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government.
The designation recognizes the building’s exceptional structural and technical qualities as well as its creative architectural details. Among Japan’s many surviving Western-style buildings from the Meiji period, the Former Main Building of the Fifty-Ninth National Bank is particularly notable for the way it combines Western architectural influences with traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
The building took approximately two and a half years to complete. Although its exterior is based on Renaissance-style architecture, the builders incorporated practical features suited to Japan.
For example, the exterior walls consist of wooden boards covered with roof tiles and finished with plaster, providing additional fire protection. The roof and tower use a hybrid structural system combining traditional Japanese timber framing with Western-style trusses.
This mixture of construction methods demonstrates how Japanese craftsmen of the Meiji period adapted newly introduced Western architectural ideas while continuing to use techniques that had been refined over centuries.
The first floor was designed primarily for banking operations. It included the banking hall, customer waiting area, president’s office, and reception rooms.
The second floor contained a large meeting room and a smaller meeting room. The large meeting room is particularly impressive, measuring approximately 14.5 meters square and creating a spacious interior without supporting columns in the center.
This open design was an impressive architectural achievement for the time. Visitors can also admire the ornate ceiling decorated with Kin-kara-kawagami, a luxurious embossed decorative paper resembling gilded leather.
The survival of this original decorative ceiling is particularly valuable. Very few historic buildings in Japan retain Kin-kara-kawagami decoration in such a well-preserved state, making it one of the highlights of the building.
The combination of white walls and mint-green decorative details gives the building a fresh and elegant appearance. Its symmetrical Renaissance-inspired facade is especially attractive for visitors interested in historic architecture and photography.
A decorative tower rises from the roof of the building. The tower also served as a lookout point and features a sōrin ornament inspired by Buddhist temple architecture in India.
This unusual detail demonstrates the creative mixture of architectural influences found throughout the building.
The richly decorated Kin-kara-kawagami ceiling in the large meeting room is one of the building’s most valuable interior features. Its elaborate design reflects the desire to create an impressive and prestigious environment during the Meiji period.
Inside the memorial museum, visitors can see old Japanese banknotes, coins, banking documents, and other historical materials. These exhibits help explain the history of banking and provide a glimpse into economic life during the period when modern financial institutions were developing in Japan.
Architect and builder: Sakichi Horie
Completed: 1904
Structure: Two-story wooden building with a hipped roof covered with traditional roof tiles and a decorative tower
Location: 26 Motonagamachi, Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, beside the Oyakata-machi Branch of Aomori Michinoku Bank
Cultural designation: National Important Cultural Property, designated in 1972
From Hirosaki Station on the Ou Main Line, take a local bus for approximately 10 minutes and get off at Shimosotemachi. The building is about a two-minute walk from the bus stop.
The Former Main Building of the Fifty-Ninth National Bank is one of Hirosaki’s most important examples of historic architecture. Created by master carpenter Sakichi Horie, the building combines Renaissance-inspired Western design with traditional Japanese woodworking and locally sourced materials.
Its elegant exterior is only the beginning. Inside, visitors can discover impressive structural innovations, richly decorated rooms, the rare Kin-kara-kawagami ceiling, and historical materials related to banking in modern Japan.
The building’s survival is also a story of local commitment to cultural preservation. Thanks to the efforts of local residents and organizations, the structure escaped demolition and was carefully relocated and preserved for future generations.
For international visitors exploring Hirosaki, the building offers a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s Meiji era, when the country was rapidly modernizing and incorporating Western ideas into its traditional culture. Along with Hirosaki Castle and other historic buildings in the city, it is a worthwhile destination for anyone interested in Japanese history, architecture, and cultural heritage.