Former Hinomaru Photo Studio

Former Hinomaru Photo Studio: A Showa-Era Landmark in Takehara

Standing at the southwestern edge of Takehara's celebrated historic district, the Former Hinomaru Photo Studio (旧日の丸写真館) is a striking three-story wooden building that has been a local landmark since around 1932. Built by Takehara-based carpenter Yoshina Ichijiro, this former photography studio is a rare surviving example of early Showa-period commercial architecture, and its distinctive angular silhouette has become one of the most recognizable features of Takehara's townscape. Registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in December 2014, the building stands as a testament both to the craftsmanship of its era and to the cultural significance of photography as a modern industry in Japan.

History and Background

The Hinomaru Photo Studio was constructed around 1932 (Showa 7), during a period when photography was becoming increasingly accessible to ordinary Japanese citizens. The building was designed and built by Yoshina Ichijiro, a skilled carpenter from Takehara, who ingeniously adapted its form to fit a trapezoidal corner lot on the left bank of the Honkawa River, along a road at the southwestern boundary of Takehara's Traditional Building Preservation District.

The studio underwent modifications around 1945 (Showa 20), yet the overall shape of the building and the arrangement of its windows and openings have been remarkably well preserved from the original construction. The second floor housed a photo retouching room, while the third floor served as the photography studio and darkroom — a functional layout that directly influenced the building's unusual exterior appearance.

Although the photo studio eventually relocated its operations to another location, the original building has been carefully maintained. Its well-preserved condition and its contribution to the historical landscape of Takehara led to its registration as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property on December 19, 2014.

Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property

The Former Hinomaru Photo Studio was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property for several compelling reasons. First, the building's overall form and the arrangement of its window openings remain remarkably faithful to the original 1932 design, preserving a rare example of early Showa-era commercial architecture. The distinctive silhouette created by the chamfered western corner and the angled northern corner on the third floor produces what the Cultural Affairs Agency describes as "a unique landscape."

Second, the building represents a significant piece of industrial heritage. Photography was introduced to Japan in the late Edo period, and this studio embodies the spread of this new technology as a commercial enterprise in regional towns. The specialized layout — with a retouching room on the second floor and a studio and darkroom on the third floor — reflects how buildings were specifically designed to serve the needs of the photographic profession.

Finally, the building has been recognized as contributing to "the historical landscape of the nation," standing as a gateway to one of Japan's most important traditional townscapes and complementing the older Edo-period structures of the adjacent preservation district.

Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest

What immediately catches the eye about the Former Hinomaru Photo Studio is its unusual shape. The building was constructed to fill every inch of a trapezoidal corner lot, resulting in a fascinating geometric form. The western corner, which faces the intersection, features a chamfered (sumikiri) design, while the third floor adds another angular cut at the northern corner, giving the building an asymmetrical and almost modernist appearance that is quite unique for a wooden structure of this era.

The windows offer another source of fascination. Their arrangement appears irregular at first glance — varying in number and placement across the different floors and facades. However, this seemingly random configuration was actually determined by the practical requirements of each room's function. The large windows on the third floor were designed to maximize natural light for the photography studio, while the second-floor retouching room required different lighting conditions. This functional logic, expressed through the building's exterior, gives it a character that continues to intrigue visitors today.

The building can be viewed from across the Honkawa River, where the small riverside park called Suikei no Koniwa offers a picturesque vantage point. From there, visitors can appreciate the building in context with the stone steps (gangi) leading down to the water and a historic stone lantern (jōyatō), creating a layered view of different eras of Takehara's history.

Connection to the Anime "Tamayura"

The Former Hinomaru Photo Studio gained additional fame as a featured location in the anime series "Tamayura," which is set in Takehara and follows the daily life of a photography-loving high school girl named Fū Sawatari (nicknamed "Potte"). In the anime, the Hinomaru Photo Studio serves as the protagonist's go-to shop for developing film and maintaining her father's cherished Rollei 35S camera. The shop owner, affectionately called "Maestro," is a warm and supportive character central to the story.

The anime aired between 2010 and 2016 across multiple OVA releases and television seasons, and it faithfully recreated many real locations in Takehara, bringing the town to the attention of anime fans across Japan and abroad. The Former Hinomaru Photo Studio is considered one of the must-visit pilgrimage spots for "Tamayura" fans, and its appearance in the show has helped introduce a new generation to this charming piece of architectural heritage.

Exploring the Surrounding Area

The Former Hinomaru Photo Studio serves as a natural gateway to the Takehara Townscape Preservation District, one of Japan's Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Just steps to the north, Honmachi-dori — the main street of the historic quarter — is lined with beautifully preserved Edo-period merchant houses, warehouses, and temples.

Key attractions within walking distance include the Former Kasai Residence (Kyū Kasai-tei), a salt merchant's house built in 1872 that now serves as a public event space; Saihoji Temple and its Fumeikaku observation hall, modeled after the stage at Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera, offering panoramic views over the town's tiled rooftops; and the Taketsuru Sake Brewery, birthplace of Masataka Taketsuru, the "Father of Japanese Whisky" and founder of Nikka Whisky, whose life inspired the NHK drama series "Massan."

For those with more time, the nearby port of Tadanoumi provides ferry access to Okunoshima, popularly known as "Rabbit Island," where hundreds of wild rabbits roam freely and greet visitors. This unique island experience, combined with the historical townscape of Takehara, makes for an unforgettable day trip.

Visiting Tips

The Former Hinomaru Photo Studio is an exterior-viewing attraction — the interior is not open to the public. However, the building's distinctive form is best appreciated from the outside, particularly from across the Honkawa River. The surrounding Takehara historic district is free to walk through, with several historic buildings open for public viewing at modest admission fees.

The town is at its most atmospheric during the annual "Takehara憧憬の路" (Takehara Shōkei no Michi) bamboo lantern festival, held in late October or early November, when thousands of bamboo lanterns illuminate the historic streets. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage also enhance the already beautiful townscape.

Guided walking tours of the preservation district are available through the Takehara Tourist Guide Association, based at the Roadside Station Takehara (Michi no Eki Takehara), and can be reserved at least two days in advance. The guides provide fascinating insights into the history, architecture, and daily life of this remarkable town.