About the Suidoyama Memorial Hall
The Suidoyama Memorial Hall (former Water Distribution Office) (水道山記念館（旧配水事務所）) is a single-storey timber former water distribution office completed in 1932 on Suidoyama hill in Tsutsumi-cho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 5, 1997. It is one of twelve registered waterworks facilities of Kiryu (Kiryu City).
According to Kiryu City, it is a single-storey timber building with a building area of 157 square metres, owned by the city.
The Suidoyama Distribution Station
Kiryu City explains that its water supply began in April 1932, pumping filtered groundwater from the Motojuku plant up to the high and low reservoirs on Suidoyama, from which it flowed down to the city by gravity. Suidoyama is the nickname of the distribution station in Tsutsumi-cho, where the distribution office, staff housing and meter houses were built.
The distribution office ended its 40-year working life in 1972. After renovation in 1985 and 1986 it opened to the public as the Kiryu Suidoyama Memorial Hall (Kiryu City).
Why It Was Registered
The Suidoyama Memorial Hall was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. Kiryu City notes the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright in its vertically accented exterior.
What to Look For
The Suidoyama Memorial Hall has scratch-tile walls and a Spanish-tile roof, in a mountain-lodge style (Kiryu City).
Its vertical lines show Wright's influence (Kiryu City). On the hilltop, with the high and low reservoirs and meter houses of the same date, it preserves the look of an early Showa distribution station.
Visiting the Suidoyama Memorial Hall
According to Kiryu City, the memorial hall is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and from December 29 to January 3. Admission is free; it is used as an exhibition room and meeting space. The address is 1-5-7 Tsutsumi-cho, Kiryu City; telephone 0277-44-5257.
Q&A
- When was the Suidoyama Memorial Hall built?
- In 1932, as the water distribution office (Kiryu City).
- What does the Suidoyama Memorial Hall look like?
- A mountain-lodge design with scratch-tile walls and Spanish tiles, showing Frank Lloyd Wright's influence (Kiryu City).
- When did the Suidoyama Memorial Hall open to the public?
- After renovation in 1985 and 1986 (Kiryu City).
- What are the opening hours of the Suidoyama Memorial Hall?
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Mondays, Tuesdays and over the New Year; free (Kiryu City).
- When was the Suidoyama Memorial Hall registered?
- On November 5, 1997.
Basic Information
| Name | Suidoyama Memorial Hall (former Water Distribution Office) (水道山記念館) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-5-7 Tsutsumi-cho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1997/11/5 (Heisei 9) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber building, building area 157 square metres (Kiryu City) |
| Owner | Kiryu City |
| Public Access | Open (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Mon and Tue, free) |
References
- Suidoyama Memorial Hall (Kiryu City)
- https://www.city.kiryu.lg.jp/kankou/bunkazai/1010700/kunitouroku/1002015.html
- Suidoyama Memorial Hall facility guide (Kiryu City)
- https://www.city.kiryu.lg.jp/shisetsu/bunka/1002921.html
- Kiryu waterworks facilities (12) (Kiryu City)
- https://www.city.kiryu.lg.jp/kankou/bunkazai/1010700/kunitouroku/1002008.html
Last verified: 2026.10.08
