Odaka Memorial Hall: A Taisho-Era Bank Reborn as a Charming Seaside Landmark
Standing at a prominent intersection facing Tateyama Port in Chiba Prefecture, the Odaka Memorial Hall (小高記念館) is a striking Western-style wooden building with a history spanning over a century. Originally constructed around 1922 as a branch of the Furukawa Bank in the town of Kamogawa, this elegant two-story structure was later dismantled, transported by horse-drawn cart, and reassembled at its present location in Tateyama City around 1930. Today, it serves as both a nationally registered tangible cultural property and a beloved fair trade café, seamlessly blending historical preservation with contemporary community life on the scenic Boso Peninsula coast.
Historical Background
The story of Odaka Memorial Hall begins in the Taisho era, when the building was erected as the Kamogawa Branch of the Furukawa Bank. The Furukawa Bank was established in 1900 in Chitose Village (now part of the former town of Maruyama) in Awa County, Chiba Prefecture. In 1929, the bank merged with Chiba Bank and was renamed Chiba Furukawa Bank, leading to the closure of the Kamogawa Branch.
When the building was put up for sale following the merger, it was purchased in 1930 by Odaka Toshirō, a prominent local figure and honorary citizen of Tateyama City. Odaka had the entire structure carefully dismantled and transported by horse-drawn cart to its current site near Tateyama Port, where it was faithfully reassembled. This remarkable act of relocation preserved a fine example of early Taisho-period Western architecture that might otherwise have been lost.
After its relocation, the building served various purposes: it housed the Tateyama Fisheries Office (Tateyama-san Co., Ltd.) and functioned as a political office. In 1994, it was repurposed as the Odaka Archives, a center for cultural exchange, but was closed in 1996 following the passing of its owner. In 2006, the NPO Awa Cultural Heritage Forum took over the building, honoring the original owner's vision by transforming it into the Odaka Memorial Hall, a hub for local cultural activities and community exchange. Then, in December 2016, the building was reborn once more as TRAYCLE Market & Coffee, a fair trade café and select shop operated by Odaka Eriko, the granddaughter of Odaka Toshirō.
Why It Was Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property
On November 20, 2015, Japan's Council for Cultural Affairs recommended that the Odaka Memorial Hall be registered as a national tangible cultural property (building), and it was officially registered on February 25, 2016. The designation recognized the building's contribution to the historical landscape of the nation.
The memorial hall was valued as a Western-style building originally constructed as a bank that was later relocated to its present site near Tateyama Port. Its wooden two-story form with rows of sash windows creates a distinctive Western appearance. The northwest corner is cut at an angle to accommodate a corner entrance, a design feature commonly seen in early 20th-century commercial buildings. The first floor retains its original Western-style interior from its days as a bank hall, while the second floor features two traditional ten-tatami Japanese-style rooms, creating a fascinating blend of Western and Japanese architectural elements. As a building that enriches the atmosphere of the port town, it was deemed worthy of preservation as part of Japan's cultural heritage.
Architectural Highlights and Attractions
The Odaka Memorial Hall is a visual delight, standing out amid the streetscape near Tateyama Port with its crisp white-painted clapboard exterior and distinctive red-painted corrugated iron roof. The building's modified hip roof and tall vertical sash windows lend it an unmistakably Western character that evokes the elegance of the Taisho era.
One of the most distinctive features is the angled corner on the northwest side, where the main entrance is located. This chamfered corner design, common in bank buildings of the period, gives the structure a commanding presence at the intersection it faces. The building has a floor area of approximately 64 square meters.
Inside, visitors can explore the fascinating contrast between the first and second floors. The ground floor, formerly the bank's main business hall, retains its Western-style interior, and traces of its banking past can still be seen, including the original vault and counter partitions from over a century ago. Stepping inside feels like entering a scene from a Taisho-era drama. The second floor, in contrast, features traditional Japanese rooms with tatami flooring, offering a serene contrast to the Western elements below.
Today, as TRAYCLE Market & Coffee, the first floor serves as a charming café offering fair trade coffee, handmade organic okara (soy pulp) muffins, and additive-free soft serve ice cream. The space also functions as a select shop carrying fair trade goods, traditional crafts, and eco-friendly products. From the second-floor eating area, visitors can enjoy views of the old warehouses and the small harbor, with sunlight dancing on the water's surface — a truly peaceful setting for a cup of coffee.
The Legacy of Odaka Toshirō
The memorial hall is named after Odaka Toshirō, a distinguished figure in the history of Tateyama and an honorary citizen of the city. Before World War II, he served as a member of the Chiba Prefectural Assembly, and after the war, he was elected to the House of Representatives and appointed Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education in the Hatoyama Cabinet. Beyond politics, Odaka was a man of letters who maintained friendships with notable poets such as Satō Hachirō and Shiratori Shōgo, and was himself an accomplished poet. His representative works include the folk songs "Satomi-bushi" and "Tateyama Ondo." He dedicated himself to promoting culture in the region, and his legacy lives on through this building that continues to serve as a community cultural hub.
Visitor Information
The Odaka Memorial Hall, now operating as TRAYCLE Market & Coffee, warmly welcomes visitors who wish to experience both its historical architecture and its café offerings. The building is open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00, with dine-in service available until 17:00. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with occasional irregular holidays.
The café specializes in fair trade coffee sourced from countries including Colombia, East Timor, Ecuador, Mexico, the Philippines, and Peru. Their signature handmade okara muffins come in a variety of seasonal flavors, made with organic and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Takeout is also available for coffee and muffins.
Access is convenient: the building is approximately a 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive from the west exit of JR Tateyama Station on the Uchibo Line. By car, it is about 15 minutes from the Tomiura Interchange on the Futtsu-Tateyama Expressway. Limited parking is available in front of the building, with overflow parking at the adjacent sports facility.
Surrounding Attractions
The Odaka Memorial Hall is ideally situated for exploring the many attractions of Tateyama City. Just a short walk away is Tateyama Port and the Tateyama Sunset Pier, one of the longest pier-type wharves in Japan, renowned for its spectacular sunset views and occasional visits from sailing ships. Nearby, the "Nagisa no Eki" Tateyama waterfront station complex houses a museum of maritime folk culture, an aquarium area, and the popular Sakana-kun Gallery.
A short drive brings visitors to Tateyama Castle (Shiroyama Park), the former stronghold of the Satomi clan, which now houses the Hakkenden Museum dedicated to the famous novel "Nansō Satomi Hakkenden." The hilltop castle offers panoramic views of Tateyama Bay and the city. The Boso Flower Line, a scenic coastal road designated as one of Japan's 100 Best Roads, offers breathtaking drives along fields of rapeseed blossoms and marigolds in season.
Other notable nearby attractions include Awa Shrine, one of the oldest and most prestigious shrines in the region; Sunosaki Lighthouse, another registered tangible cultural property; and the uninhabited island of Okinoshima, accessible on foot and popular for swimming and snorkeling. On clear days, visitors can even see Mount Fuji across the bay from various viewpoints around the port area.
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Q&A
- What is the Odaka Memorial Hall used for today?
- Since December 2016, the building has been operating as TRAYCLE Market & Coffee, a fair trade café and select shop. Visitors can enjoy fair trade coffee, organic okara muffins, and browse eco-friendly goods while appreciating the Taisho-era architecture. The second floor retains a memorial space dedicated to the building's history.
- Why was the building relocated from Kamogawa to Tateyama?
- When the Furukawa Bank merged with Chiba Bank in 1929, the Kamogawa Branch was closed and the building was put up for sale. Odaka Toshirō, a local politician and cultural figure, purchased the building in 1930 and had it dismantled and transported by horse-drawn cart to Tateyama, where it was reassembled near the port.
- Can visitors see the original bank interior?
- Yes. The first floor retains elements of its original Western-style bank interior, including the century-old vault and counter partitions. These historical features can be appreciated while visiting the café.
- How do I get to the Odaka Memorial Hall?
- From JR Tateyama Station (west exit), it is about a 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive. By car, take the Futtsu-Tateyama Expressway to the Tomiura Interchange and drive approximately 15 minutes. The café is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00–18:00.
- Who was Odaka Toshirō?
- Odaka Toshirō was an honorary citizen of Tateyama City who served as a prefectural assemblyman, a member of the House of Representatives, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education. He was also a poet known for works such as "Satomi-bushi" and "Tateyama Ondo," and dedicated his life to promoting culture in the Awa region.
Basic Information
| Name | Odaka Memorial Hall (小高記念館) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | February 25, 2016 |
| Original Construction | c. 1922 (Taisho 11), as Furukawa Bank Kamogawa Branch |
| Relocation | c. 1930 (Showa 5), moved to present site in Tateyama |
| Structure | Wooden 2-story building, corrugated iron roof, building area approx. 64 m² |
| Address | 95-70 Tateyama, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture 294-0036 |
| Current Use | TRAYCLE Market & Coffee (café & select shop) |
| Opening Hours | Thursday–Sunday, 11:00–18:00 (dine-in until 17:00) |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (with occasional irregular holidays) |
| Phone | 0470-49-4688 |
| Access | 20-min walk or 5-min drive from JR Tateyama Station (west exit); 15 min by car from Tomiura IC |
References
- 【国登録有形文化財】小高記念館 | 館山市役所
- https://www.city.tateyama.chiba.jp/syougaigaku/page010100.html
- 小高記念館 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/254515
- 小高記念館 - 千葉県
- https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kyouiku/bunkazai/bunkazai/n111-085.html
- 小高記念館【国登録文化財】 : 安房文化遺産フォーラム
- https://awa-ecom.jp/bunka-isan/section/marugoto-070-100/
- TRAYCLE Market & Coffee
- https://trayclemarket.com/
Last verified: 2026.03.28