Former Goten Water Source Office

Former Goten Water Source Office: A Taisho-Era Gem of Western-Style Architecture in Takamatsu

Nestled along the banks of the Koto River in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, the Former Goten Water Source Office (旧御殿水源地事務所) stands as an elegant testament to Japan's rapid modernization in the early twentieth century. This charming single-story wooden building, constructed in 1917 during the Taisho period, served as the administrative heart of one of Shikoku's earliest modern water purification plants. Today, it is recognized as a nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property and welcomes visitors as part of the Takamatsu City Waterworks Museum — a hidden gem that offers a rare glimpse into Japan's journey toward modern infrastructure.

A Brief History: Bringing Modern Water to Takamatsu

The story of the Former Goten Water Source Office begins with Takamatsu's quest for a modern water supply system. Before the twentieth century, residents relied on a centuries-old water distribution network dating back to 1644, when the feudal lord Matsudaira Yorishige ordered the construction of wooden pipe systems to channel spring water into the castle town. While ingenious for its time, this system could no longer meet the demands of a growing modern city.

Construction of the Goten Water Source site began in the mid-1910s, with the office building completed in 1917 (Taisho 6). The entire water purification facility commenced operations on September 1, 1921, making it the 40th modern waterworks system established in Japan. The office building served as the administrative center and night-duty quarters for the facility staff, a role it continued to fulfill until 1986.

Architectural Features and Design

The Former Goten Water Source Office is a single-story, tile-roofed wooden structure with a total floor area of 145 square meters. Its L-shaped floor plan is distinctive, with the main entrance placed at the protruding southeast corner of the building — an unusual but practical design choice that gives the structure a sense of openness and accessibility.

The building's foundation reveals the careful craftsmanship of its Taisho-era builders. The base is laid with granite, while the rising walls feature British-style brick masonry (English bond), with stone reinforcement at the corner joints. The exterior walls are clad in horizontal weatherboard siding, painted in a striking combination of white and light blue that has become the signature look of the entire Goten Water Source complex.

Though modest in scale, the office shares a cohesive Western-influenced design language with the adjacent pump station (Sokutojo), featuring similar decorative elements such as semicircular transom windows on the gable ends. Together, these buildings form a harmonious ensemble that symbolized the modernization of daily life for Takamatsu citizens over a century ago.

Why It Was Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

The Former Goten Water Source Office was registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property on May 7, 1997, alongside the pump station building. The designation recognizes the building's historical and cultural significance as a symbol of Japan's modernization during the Taisho period.

According to the official registration description, the office exhibits a design closely related to the adjacent pump station, and together they have been cherished as symbols of modernization by the local community. Despite its compact size and simple construction, the building's Western-influenced architectural details — including its distinctive L-shaped layout and decorative elements — represent a valuable example of early twentieth-century civic architecture in Shikoku.

In 2016, four additional structures on the site — the warehouse, the water collection manhole (Shusui Maikyo Toho Jinko), the north gate pillars, and the stone retaining wall — were also registered, bringing the total number of registered cultural properties at the Goten Water Source to six. The entire complex was also selected as one of Japan's "100 Best Modern Waterworks" by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 1985 and is recognized as an important modern civil engineering heritage site.

Highlights and Things to See

The Office Interior (PR Hall)

The office building now serves as the PR Hall of the Takamatsu City Waterworks Museum. Inside, visitors can explore exhibits about the water supply system, including displays on how water is purified and distributed. The interior retains much of its original Taisho-era character, with wooden fittings and architectural details that transport visitors back in time.

The Pump Station (History Hall)

Adjacent to the office, the pump station — or Sokutojo — is the other star of the complex. Built in 1918 with a T-shaped floor plan and a total area of 249 square meters, it houses original Taisho-era motors and pumps in a dramatic brick-lined basement. The soft light filtering through the semicircular windows creates a wonderfully photogenic atmosphere.

The Grounds and Multipurpose Plaza

The beautifully maintained grounds surrounding the buildings feature manicured lawns and well-kept pathways. Cherry trees along the nearby Koto River make spring visits especially rewarding. The multipurpose plaza between the buildings is a popular spot for wedding photography, family portraits, and even cosplay photo shoots — a testament to the site's aesthetic appeal.

Additional Registered Structures

Visitors should also explore the other registered cultural properties on site, including the granite retaining wall that curves gracefully along the waterway, the historic north gate pillars, the storage building, and the remarkable water collection manhole — a deep brick-lined shaft that is among the earliest of its kind in Japan, built to tap the underground water flowing beneath the Koto River.

Visitor Information and Access

The Former Goten Water Source (Takamatsu City Waterworks Museum) is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, and admission is completely free. The facility is closed only during the New Year holiday period (December 29 to January 3). The site features accessible pathways with ramps, an accessible restroom, and a baby care room with nursing and diaper-changing facilities — all added during the comprehensive seismic retrofit completed in 2019.

The site is located approximately a 12-minute drive from JR Takamatsu Station, a 20-minute drive from Takamatsu Expressway Interchange, or a 15-minute drive from Takamatsu-Danmen Expressway Interchange. Limited parking is available on site. Visitors arriving by car should note that the access road is narrow, so careful driving is advised.

Nearby Attractions

A visit to the Former Goten Water Source can easily be combined with other Takamatsu highlights. Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan's most celebrated landscape gardens and a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty, is about a 15-minute drive away. Takamatsu Castle (Tamamo Castle) ruins and the vibrant Takamatsu Port area — gateway to the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea including Naoshima, Teshima, and Shodoshima — are also within easy reach. For architecture enthusiasts, the Kagawa Prefectural Government Office East Building, an early masterpiece by Kenzo Tange, is well worth a visit. And no trip to Kagawa would be complete without sampling the region's famous Sanuki udon noodles at one of the many local shops.