Former Hayashi Clinic X-Ray Building

Former Hayashi Clinic X-ray Building: A Window into Early Modern Medicine in Gujo Hachiman

Tucked behind the elegant pseudo-Western façade of the Former Hayashi Clinic in the picturesque castle town of Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture, stands a modest yet historically significant structure — the Former Hayashi Clinic X-ray Building (旧林療院レントゲン棟, Kyū Hayashi Ryōin Rentgen-tō). Built in the early Taisho era (approximately 1912–1925), this small two-story wooden building is recognized as one of the earliest X-ray facilities established in Gifu Prefecture, making it a precious relic of Japan's medical modernization at the local level.

Now preserved as part of the Gujo Hachiman Rakugeikan museum, the X-ray Building offers visitors a rare glimpse into how cutting-edge Western medical technology reached even the mountainous regions of central Japan in the early 20th century. Together with the Main Building and Nurses' Quarters, it forms a remarkable cultural property complex that tells the story of a private clinic's century-long service to the community.

History of the Hayashi Clinic

The Hayashi Clinic (林療院) was a private medical practice that operated in Gujo Hachiman from the Meiji era through the Heisei period, serving the local community for over a century. The Main Building was constructed in 1904 (Meiji 37) as an impressive pseudo-Western-style structure featuring Ionic order columns at the entrance porch, mortar finishes imitating stonework, and sash windows with simplified pediments — a sophisticated blend of Japanese craftsmanship and Western architectural aesthetics.

In the early Taisho era, the clinic expanded with the addition of the X-ray Building, introducing what is believed to have been one of the earliest X-ray diagnostic facilities in all of Gifu Prefecture. This was a remarkable achievement for a private clinic in a rural mountain town, demonstrating the progressive spirit of its physician-owner. The Nurses' Quarters, incorporating timbers salvaged from an Edo-period foot soldier's (ashigaru) longhouse, further illustrates the resourceful adaptation characteristic of the period.

In 1997, the buildings were donated to what was then Hachiman Town (now part of Gujo City). Recognizing their exceptional cultural and historical value, the municipality undertook extensive renovation and preservation work. In 1998, the Main Building, X-ray Building, and Nurses' Quarters were registered as national Registered Tangible Cultural Properties. In 2000, the complex reopened as the Gujo Hachiman Rakugeikan, a museum and cultural exhibition facility.

Why It Was Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

The Former Hayashi Clinic X-ray Building was registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property on October 9, 1998 (Registration No. 21-0016), under the criterion that it "contributes to the historical landscape of the nation." The official description by the Agency for Cultural Affairs characterizes it as a small-scale two-story Western-style building situated behind the Main Building, with a storehouse-like first floor but an overall design that harmonizes with the Main Building's architectural vocabulary.

Its significance lies not only in its architectural character but also in what it represents historically. As reportedly the earliest example of an X-ray facility established in Gifu Prefecture, the building provides tangible evidence that advanced Western medical technology was being adopted in regional towns during the early 20th century. This makes it an invaluable testament to the modernization of healthcare in rural Japan — a story often overshadowed by the more prominent modernization narratives of major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

Architectural Features and Highlights

The X-ray Building is a compact wooden two-story structure with iron sheet roofing and a building area of just 22 square meters. Despite its small scale, the building displays thoughtful architectural design that reflects both practical medical requirements and aesthetic considerations.

The first floor features a storehouse-like construction (土蔵風), with thick, solid walls that would have been practical for housing X-ray equipment — providing both structural support for heavy machinery and some degree of radiation shielding consistent with the understanding of the era. The overall design vocabulary echoes that of the Main Building, creating a visually cohesive medical compound.

Today, the first floor of the X-ray Building is preserved in the condition it was in during its years of active clinical use, allowing visitors to see the actual X-ray room with its period medical equipment. This immersive presentation brings the history of early 20th-century medicine to life in a way that photographs and written accounts simply cannot match.

Visiting the Gujo Hachiman Rakugeikan

The Former Hayashi Clinic complex now operates as the Gujo Hachiman Rakugeikan (郡上八幡樂藝館), a museum and cultural facility that serves multiple purposes. In addition to the preserved medical rooms in the Main Building and X-ray Building, the complex houses the Gujo Gallery for art exhibitions, the Machigata Cultural Materials Room displaying donated historical household items, and a Citizens' Exhibition Room available for local creative activities.

The museum is located at 789-1 Shimadani, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City — within easy walking distance of major Gujo Hachiman attractions including the Former Town Hall Memorial Hall and the famous waterways that give this castle town its reputation as the "Little Kyoto of Oku-Mino."

The Rakugeikan sits in the heart of the Gujo Odori dance festival area, making it an excellent stop during the summer festival season. Photography enthusiasts particularly appreciate the retro-modern exterior of the buildings, which provides wonderful subjects against the backdrop of Gujo Hachiman's traditional townscape.

Nearby Attractions

Gujo Hachiman is one of central Japan's most charming castle towns, and the Rakugeikan's central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the area. Just steps away is the Gujo Hachiman Former Town Hall Memorial Hall (郡上八幡旧庁舎記念館), itself a Registered Tangible Cultural Property built in 1936, now serving as a tourism information center with shops and restaurants. The iconic Gujo Hachiman Castle crowns the hilltop above town — rebuilt in 1933, it is renowned as one of Japan's most beautiful mountain castles and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the town below.

Water is central to life in Gujo Hachiman. The Yanaka Waterway Path (やなか水のこみち) and the Igawa Komichi waterway with its swimming carp are beloved strolling spots. The Gujo Hachiman Museum (博覧館), housed in a former Taisho-era tax office, offers engaging exhibits on local history, crafts, and the famous Gujo Odori dance, with live dance demonstrations.

For those interested in Japanese traditional dance, Gujo Odori — held from mid-July through early September — is one of Japan's most celebrated bon dance festivals. The all-night dancing sessions during the Obon period in mid-August draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the country.