Shōwa

Discover the Budokan, a 1932 wooden gymnasium registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in Joso City, Ibaraki. Experience authentic early Showa-era architecture that still serves the local community, surrounded by historic sites from Japan's prosperous river port era.

The east gate of the Iwase residence in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, was the everyday entrance to a former Edo village headman's compound. A registered cultural property.

Discover the Kasama City Historical Folk Museum, a nationally registered tangible cultural property in Ibaraki Prefecture. This 1937 wooden Western-style former town hall showcases early Showa civic architecture alongside archaeological and folk exhibits from the Kasama region.

The Former Asakawa Elementary School Building No. 2, set deep in a quiet valley in Daigo Town, Ibaraki, is a single-story wooden schoolhouse completed in 1937. Together with the older 1913 Building No. 1, it is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan and continues in use today as a satellite campus for a correspondence high school. This guide introduces the building's history, architectural significance, surrounding sights such as Fukuroda Falls, and practical visitor information.

The Former Shizan Juku Main House in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a refined two-story wooden residence built in 1928 as a private academy dedicated to Mito Learning. Featuring elegant details such as protruding-knot alcove pillars and single-plank transoms, this modern Japanese-style building was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2024.

Discover the Former Makabe Post Office, a 1927 Registered Tangible Cultural Property in Sakuragawa City, Ibaraki. Originally built as a bank, this Western-style landmark stands at the heart of Makabe's historic townscape with over 100 cultural properties.

Discover the Former Makinoji Elementary School in Daigo, Ibaraki — a 1950 wooden schoolhouse registered as a national tangible cultural property, now transformed into the beloved Daigo Oyaki School where visitors can make traditional Japanese sweets.

Discover Kuriyama Gofukuten, a nationally registered tangible cultural property in Ishioka, Ibaraki. Built around 1932 after the Great Ishioka Fire, this wooden merchant building features stunning kumiko lattice work and represents Japan's early modern architectural heritage.

The Jushichiya Footwear Shop in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a two-story wooden kanban (signboard) architecture building constructed in 1930. As the first building reconstructed after the devastating 1929 fire, it pioneered the kanban architectural style in the district. Featuring Western decorative elements such as Lombardy bands and console-style capitals, it is registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property as a fine example of early Showa commercial architecture.

The Sugaya Cosmetics Store and Residence stands along Nakamachi-dōri in Ishioka, Ibaraki Prefecture, as a prime example of kanban kenchiku (signboard architecture) built after the devastating 1929 Great Fire. This two-story wooden commercial building features Corinthian and Ionic pilasters, a dentil cornice, and a triangular pediment, and was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2005.

Naka-bashi in Hitachi-Ōta City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a reinforced concrete single-arch bridge completed in 1937 over the Sato River. Recognized as one of the earliest Lohse-type arch bridges in the Kantō region and northeastern Japan, it was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2003. Locally beloved as Megane-bashi (Spectacles Bridge).

Built in 1930, the Nippon Sei Ko Kai Tsuchiura St. Barnabas Church Chapel is the oldest surviving reinforced concrete structure in southern Ibaraki Prefecture. Designated as a nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2025, this early Showa-era Anglican chapel features a distinctive pointed tower, a historic pedal organ, and beautiful stained glass windows. Discover nearly a century of faith and architectural heritage in the heart of Tsuchiura.

Discover the Bakumatsu and Meiji Museum Annex in Oarai, Ibaraki—a 1932 reinforced concrete building registered as a national tangible cultural property, featuring Corinthian columns and neoclassical design. Explore Meiji-era imperial treasures and samurai heritage.

The kokugura at Fuchu Homare in Ishioka, Ibaraki, is a wood-frame concrete rice store recording the fire-resistant methods adopted after the great fire of 1929.

In Makabe, Sakuragawa, this early Showa gate of the Masubuchi Hiroichi family blends three gate types, munamon, yakuimon and udegimon, into one design.

Set back within the Masubuchi Hiroichi family lot in Makabe, Sakuragawa, this early Showa dozo storehouse has plastered walls and double-leaf fire shutters.

A reinforced concrete distribution tower built in 1932 in the historic Sannomaru district of Mito, Ibaraki. Designed by waterworks engineer Goto Tsurumatsu, the 21.6-meter cylindrical structure features Gothic-inspired ornament and fire-hose-motif reliefs. Registered Tangible Cultural Property, one of Japan's 100 Best Modern Waterworks, and JSCE Selected Civil Engineering Heritage.