A Working Prefectural Office Crowned with a Castle Roof
The Aichi Prefectural Office Building (愛知県庁舎, Aichi kenchosha) is the prefectural government building completed in 1938 in Sannomaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, and it was designated an Important Cultural Property on December 10, 2014. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a steel-framed reinforced concrete building of six storeys above ground and one below, partly seven storeys, with a building area of 4,665.99 square metres.
According to the Agency, it stands east of the former Sannomaru enclosure of Nagoya Castle, facing west onto Otsu-dori, with Nagoya City Hall immediately to the north. Watanabe Jin and Nishimura Yoshitoki prepared the basic design, and the prefecture's building section carried out the detailed design. Aichi Prefecture notes that it was the first case in Japan of an Important Cultural Property still in use as a main government office.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency highlights the three-tier exterior in different tiles and the hip-and-gable roofs with ornamental gables, recalling the main keep of Nagoya Castle, set at the centre of three sides. By fusing a Western style with the design of a castle keep, the building expresses local character and achieves the Japanese taste that was a key goal of early Showa architecture, giving it outstanding design and high historical value.
At the same time, its plan is rational and functional as an office, stacking related departments one above another and placing stairs and lifts accordingly, the Agency notes. Aichi Prefecture explains that it met two of the criteria for designation, excellence of design and high historical value. Completed on February 28, 1938, it was designated in 2014 together with Nagoya City Hall.
What to Look For
Notice the three layers of the walls. According to the Agency, the ground floor is faced in stone, the second to fifth floors in yellow-brown terracotta, and the sixth and seventh in small white porcelain tiles. Aichi Prefecture adds that the yellow-brown tiles allude to Aichi as a centre of ceramics, and the white tiles of the upper floor recall the white walls of a castle.
Inside, the ceremonial hall (seicho) on the sixth floor is the highlight. The prefecture says it is used for ceremonies and important meetings and keeps its arched coffered ceiling, ornament and marble radiator covers as built. With Nagoya City Hall next door, it forms a cityscape of large public buildings in the Japanese taste (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting the Building
Aichi Prefecture runs guided tours of the building on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except holidays and the New Year), covering the ceremonial hall, the auditorium (the former assembly chamber) and the prefectural assembly chamber. Tours are booked by telephone at least one week ahead through the Property Management Division (052-954-6055), and may be unavailable because of official business or repairs.
The VIP reception room cannot be visited, according to the prefecture. The building is at 3-1-2 Sannomaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya.
Q&A
- When was the Aichi Prefectural Office Building built?
- It was completed on February 28, 1938, and opened on March 22 that year.
- When was it designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On December 10, 2014, together with Nagoya City Hall.
- Who designed it?
- Watanabe Jin and Nishimura Yoshitoki prepared the basic design, and the prefecture's building section the detailed design.
- Why does the roof look like a castle?
- Its hip-and-gable roofs with ornamental gables recall the main keep of Nagoya Castle, fusing a Western style with castle design.
- Can I visit the building?
- Yes, on weekday guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., booked by telephone, covering the ceremonial hall, auditorium and assembly chamber.
Basic Information
| Name | Aichi Prefectural Office Building (愛知県庁舎) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3-1-2 Sannomaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2014/12/10 (Heisei 26) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Steel-framed reinforced concrete, 6 storeys above ground and 1 below, partly 7 storeys, building area 4,665.99 square metres |
| Owner | Aichi Prefecture |
| Public Access | Guided tours on weekdays by telephone booking (part of the building) |
References
- 愛知県庁舎 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/00004776
- Aichi Prefectural Office Main Building (Aichi Prefecture)
- https://www.pref.aichi.jp/soshiki/zaisan/honchokaisetsu.html
- Guided tours of the prefectural office (Aichi Prefecture)
- https://www.pref.aichi.jp/soshiki/zaisan/kengaku.html
Last verified: 2026.10.04