Former Fifty-Ninth Bank Head Office: A Meiji-Era Masterpiece in Hirosaki
Standing proudly in the heart of Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, the Former Fifty-Ninth Bank Head Office Main Building (旧第五十九銀行本店本館) is one of Japan's most remarkable examples of Meiji-era Western-style architecture. Completed in 1904 and designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1972, this elegant two-story wooden structure represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship achieved by master builder Horie Sakichi, widely regarded as his greatest masterpiece. Today, the building is open to the public, offering visitors a fascinating window into the era when Japan embraced Western architectural styles while retaining its own artistic traditions.
The Story of the Fifty-Ninth National Bank
The Fifty-Ninth National Bank was established in 1879 in Hirosaki, a castle town that served as the political and cultural center of the Tsugaru region in northern Honshu. As Japan modernized rapidly during the Meiji period, regional banks played a crucial role in financing local industries and development. The bank commissioned a grand new headquarters to reflect its status and ambitions, and construction began around 1902.
The bank president at the time, Iwabuchi Iichi, entrusted the entire project to the renowned local master builder Horie Sakichi, reportedly telling him to build whatever would satisfy his creative vision. With a total construction cost of approximately 67,000 yen — an extraordinary sum that would be equivalent to roughly 1.3 billion yen (about 10 million USD) in today's currency — Sakichi poured every technique and ounce of passion he had accumulated over his long career into this building. He was 59 years old at the time, and this would prove to be the crowning achievement of his life's work.
Master Builder Horie Sakichi: The God of Carpentry
Horie Sakichi (1845–1907) was born into a family of official carpenters serving the Hirosaki domain. While trained in traditional Japanese woodworking, he developed an intense fascination with Western architecture. In 1879, he traveled to Hokkaido, where he was astonished by the Western-style buildings lining the streets of Hakodate. He spent his time there studying foreign architectural techniques, sketching buildings, and learning from other craftsmen — all entirely self-taught.
After returning to Hirosaki, Sakichi went on to design and build numerous Western-style structures, earning the epithet "the God of Carpentry" for his exceptional skill and prolific output of some 1,500 buildings over his lifetime. His surviving works in Hirosaki include the Former Fifty-Ninth Bank, the Former Hirosaki City Library (1906), and the Former Hirosaki Kaikosha (1907). He is also known for designing the Shayokan in Goshogawara, the birthplace of celebrated author Dazai Osamu.
Why Was It Designated as an Important Cultural Property?
In 1972, the building and its ridge plaque (munafuda) were designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The official designation recognized the structure as outstanding among the many Meiji-era Western-style buildings surviving across the country, noting its superior design, high-quality materials, and excellent construction techniques. The building was praised for being one of the finest examples of Meiji architecture remaining in a regional city, with creative innovations and structural ingenuity evident throughout.
The masterful blending of Western design principles with Japanese craftsmanship — known as the wayō secchū (Japanese-Western hybrid) approach — sets this building apart. While its exterior follows Renaissance-style conventions, the interior incorporates traditional Japanese techniques such as coffered ceilings adorned with rare kinkarakami (gold-tooled leather paper), demonstrating Sakichi's unique artistic vision and technical mastery.
Architectural Highlights and Things to See
Exterior Design
The building presents a strikingly symmetrical Renaissance-style facade. Standing 17.7 meters tall, the two-story wooden structure features a central ornamental tower topped with a finial reminiscent of Indian temple spires (sōrin). The exterior walls are finished in a distinctive palette of white and mint green, created by applying sand plaster over tiles laid on wooden boards — a fire-resistant construction technique that gives the wooden building the appearance of solid masonry.
The Banking Hall
On the ground floor, the former banking hall retains its original zelkova (keyaki) wood counter, evoking the atmosphere of early 20th-century commercial life. The chandeliers and classical furnishings create a dignified yet welcoming space. The wood used throughout the building is locally sourced Aomori Prefecture zelkova for structural elements and Japanese cypress (hiba) for fittings, reflecting Sakichi's commitment to using the finest regional materials.
Kinkarakami Ceilings
Perhaps the most remarkable interior feature is the kinkarakami — a luxurious embossed wallpaper made by pressing metal foil onto handmade Japanese paper and painting it with elaborate patterns. This rare decorative art survives on the coffered ceilings of the former bank president's office, the second-floor conference room, the small meeting room, and the tower chamber. Only a handful of buildings in all of Japan preserve original kinkarakami from the Meiji era, making this a truly exceptional sight.
The Second-Floor Conference Room
The spacious conference room on the second floor is an engineering marvel: despite the heavy snow loads that northern Japan's harsh winters impose on structures, Sakichi created a vast column-free interior space. The room features an elegant coffered ceiling, French-imported furnishings from the building's early days, and linoleum flooring — all reflecting the cosmopolitan tastes of the Meiji era. This achievement demonstrates Sakichi's extraordinary understanding of structural engineering.
Fire-Resistant Construction
As a bank, security and fire prevention were paramount. The walls incorporate an innovative system: tiles are affixed to the wooden frame, then covered with more than four centimeters of thick plaster. The windows feature tsuchido — sliding shutters reinforced with plaster and earth. Iron window grilles, which were removed during wartime metal requisitions, were faithfully restored during conservation work carried out between 1983 and 1985.
Preservation and Revival
The story of this building's survival is itself remarkable. When the Aomori Bank built a new Hirosaki branch in 1965, the historic structure was slated for demolition. However, passionate advocacy by local citizens, the Hirosaki Chamber of Commerce, and cultural preservation groups saved the building. It was rotated 90 degrees and moved 50 meters by hikiya (building relocation), a traditional Japanese technique, to its current location.
In 1967, the building reopened as the Aomori Bank Memorial Hall. In 2018, the Aomori Bank donated the building to Hirosaki City, which then undertook extensive renovation work. The building reopened in April 2021 with updated exhibits introducing the building's history, its architectural significance, and the legacy of Hirosaki's Western-style architecture. Visitors can now explore the entire building with shoes on, and photography is permitted throughout.
Surrounding Attractions
The Former Fifty-Ninth Bank is ideally situated for exploring Hirosaki's remarkable concentration of historic architecture. Within walking distance, visitors can enjoy several notable sites:
- Hirosaki Castle and Park — One of Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots, with the original castle tower and beautiful moats. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival (late April to early May) draws visitors from across the country.
- Former Hirosaki City Library — Another masterwork by Horie Sakichi, featuring distinctive octagonal twin towers. Free admission.
- Former To-o Gijuku Foreign Teachers' Residence — A charming Western-style house built for foreign missionaries, now open to the public with free admission.
- Tsugaru-han Neputa Village — A museum showcasing the traditional Hirosaki Neputa Festival with giant illuminated floats and live Tsugaru shamisen performances.
- Fujita Memorial Garden — A beautiful Japanese garden with a Western-style house designed by Sakichi's sons.
- Saishoin Temple Five-Storied Pagoda — An Important Cultural Property featuring exquisite craftsmanship, located a short walk away.
Hirosaki is known as one of the cities with the highest concentration of designated cultural property buildings in eastern Japan. A walking tour of the city's Western-style architecture can easily fill a rewarding half-day.
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Q＆A
- How do I get to the Former Fifty-Ninth Bank from Hirosaki Station?
- Take the Dotemachi Loop 100-yen Bus from JR Hirosaki Station (about 10 minutes) and get off at the "Shitadotemachi" stop, then walk approximately 5 minutes. Alternatively, it is about a 30-minute walk (2 km) from the station, or a short taxi ride costing around 1,000 yen.
- Is English information available at the museum?
- The exhibits were updated in 2021 and include multilingual panels. The Hirosaki Tourist Information Center at JR Hirosaki Station also provides English-language maps and guidance for exploring the city's historic architecture.
- Can I take photographs inside the building?
- Yes, photography is permitted throughout the building. The kinkarakami ceilings, the zelkova wood counter in the former banking hall, and the ornate second-floor conference room are especially popular subjects.
- What is the best season to visit Hirosaki?
- Hirosaki is beautiful year-round. Spring (late April–early May) brings the famous cherry blossom festival at Hirosaki Castle Park, while autumn (October–November) features the Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival. The museum stays open during all major festivals and extends its hours. In winter, the Snow Lantern Festival (February) transforms the castle park into a magical landscape.
- How long does a visit to the museum take?
- A typical visit takes about 20 to 30 minutes. However, architecture enthusiasts may wish to spend more time examining the intricate details of the kinkarakami ceilings, the structural innovations, and the historical exhibits on display.
Basic Information
| Official Name | Former Fifty-Ninth Bank Head Office Main Building (旧第五十九銀行本店本館) |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Aomori Bank Memorial Hall (青森銀行記念館) |
| Cultural Property Designation | Important Cultural Property of Japan (designated May 15, 1972) |
| Designer / Builder | Horie Sakichi (堀江佐吉, 1845–1907) |
| Year of Completion | 1904 (Meiji 37) |
| Structure | Wooden, 2 stories, Renaissance-style design, height 17.7 m, building area 373.7 m² |
| Address | 26 Motonagamachi, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture 036-8198, Japan |
| Owner | Hirosaki City (donated by Aomori Bank in 2018) |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (extended to 6:00 PM during major festivals) |
| Closed | Tuesdays, Year-end / New Year holidays (Dec. 29 – Jan. 3). Open daily during major Hirosaki festivals. |
| Admission | Adults (high school and above): ¥200 / Children (elementary and junior high): ¥100 |
| Access | Dotemachi Loop 100-yen Bus from JR Hirosaki Station, about 10 min, get off at "Shitadotemachi," walk 5 min |
| Phone | 0172-36-6350 |
References
- 旧第五十九銀行本店本館 — 弘前市公式サイト
- https://www.city.hirosaki.aomori.jp/gaiyou/shisetsu/formerthe59thbank_mainoffice_mainbuilding.html
- 旧第五十九銀行 — HIROSAKI Heritage
- https://www.hirosaki-heritage.com/heritage/h-daigojukuginko/
- 旧第五十九銀行本店本館 — 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/121077
- 旧第五十九銀行本店本館 — Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A7%E7%AC%AC%E4%BA%94%E5%8D%81%E4%B9%9D%E9%8A%80%E8%A1%8C%E6%9C%AC%E5%BA%97%E6%9C%AC%E9%A4%A8
- 堀江佐吉 — Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A0%80%E6%B1%9F%E4%BD%90%E5%90%89
- Tourist Spots — Hirosaki Tourist Information
- https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/en/edit.html?id=edit03
- 旧第五十九銀行本店本館（青森銀行記念館） — きてみて、ひろさき。
- https://hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/details.html?id=api00100000022
- 旧第五十九銀行本店本館 — 青森県庁
- https://www.pref.aomori.lg.jp/soshiki/kyoiku/e-bunka/jubun_kenzoubutu_15.html
Last verified: 2026.03.07