A 1937 Concrete School Now Used by the City
The Amagasaki City Hall Kaimei Building (Former Kaimei Elementary School) (尼崎市役所開明庁舎（旧開明尋常小学校校舎）) is a former elementary school of 1937, altered in 2005 in Kaimeicho, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on July 31, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-storey and partly single-storey reinforced-concrete building with a rooftop tower, covering 1,253 square metres; registration number 28-0273.
An L-Shaped Concrete School
The Kaimei Building of Amagasaki City Hall (the former Kaimei Elementary School) is a three-storey reinforced-concrete building laid out in an L along the east and north sides of its site (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
A single-storey wing runs from the south end of the east block, and a quarter-round entrance hall in the inner corner, with a half-cylinder stair tower above it, gives the composition its accent. Rectangular windows set in neat rows and window hoods stress the horizontal (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a model of design, a good example of reinforced-concrete school building of the early Showa period.
What to Look For
Look for the quarter-round entrance hall and the half-cylinder stair tower above it (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is used as a building of Amagasaki City Hall. No official information on visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1937, with alterations in 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was it originally?
- The Kaimei Elementary School.
- What marks its exterior?
- A quarter-round entrance hall and a half-cylinder stair tower.
- What is its plan?
- An L along the east and north sides of the site.
- When was the Amagasaki City Hall Kaimei Building (Former Kaimei Elementary School) registered?
- On July 31, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Amagasaki City Hall Kaimei Building (Former Kaimei Elementary School) (尼崎市役所開明庁舎（旧開明尋常小学校校舎）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-1-1 Kaimeicho, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007/07/31 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Three-storey reinforced concrete, partly single storey, with tower, 1,253 m² |
| Owner | Amagasaki City |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Amagasaki City Hall Kaimei Building (Former Kaimei Elementary School) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006268
Last verified: 2026.10.18