An Officers' Club of the 11th Division
The Former Zentsuji Kaikosha (旧善通寺偕行社) is the officers' club of the Imperial Army's 11th Division, completed in 1903 in the grounds of Zentsuji City Hall, Bunkyocho 2-chome, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 15, 2001. Kaikosha was the name of an association of army officers for friendship and study founded in 1877, and the clubhouses it built at divisional bases took the same name (Zentsuji City).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a timber building with a pantiled roof and front entrance porch, building area 678.4 square metres; owned by Zentsuji City.
From Army Club to Civic Hall
According to Zentsuji City, the 11th Division, whose officers built the Former Zentsuji Kaikosha, was one of six divisions added during the army's expansion after the First Sino-Japanese War; formed in 1896, it was stationed at Zentsuji from 1898. The club was completed by its officers on May 10, 1903, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs attributes the design to the War Ministry's building office.
In October 1903 the Crown Prince (later Emperor Taisho) rested here on a visit to Kagawa, and in 1922 the Crown Prince (later Emperor Showa) stayed here to observe army manoeuvres. After the war it became a club for American and Australian troops, then served in turn as a prosecutors' office, government ration office, Self-Defense Forces club, city hall, community centre and city local history museum (Zentsuji City).
After designation, conservation work from 2004 to 2007 restored it largely to its original state, and an annex was added to make it easier to use as a social hall (Zentsuji City).
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Former Zentsuji Kaikosha was designated an Important Cultural Property in 2001. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as a Western-style building of simple Renaissance design that well conveys the style of the War Ministry's building office in its formative years; it is well preserved and important for understanding the spread of Western-style architecture in Shikoku.
What to Look For
The Former Zentsuji Kaikosha is a long single-storey timber building running east to west, its main block about 41.8 metres long. The centre of the north front projects to carry the entrance porch, and a lawn spreads to the south (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Inside, the entrance in the projecting bay is flanked by matching reception rooms. Across the corridor, the great hall lies at the centre of the south side, with two rooms for distinguished guests at the east end and the dining room at the west end (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Zentsuji City offers a 360-degree online view of the interior.
Visiting the Former Zentsuji Kaikosha
According to the Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association, the Former Zentsuji Kaikosha is open free from 10:00 to 16:00 (not while rooms are in use) and closed from December 29 to January 3. The great hall and meeting room can be hired for gatherings, concerts and weddings (Zentsuji City).
The annex houses Kaikosha Cafe, with views of the building (Zentsuji City). The address is 2-1-1 Bunkyocho, Zentsuji City; use the city hall car park. Enquiries: Kaikosha office, 0877-63-6362.
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Q&A
- When was the Former Zentsuji Kaikosha built?
- It was completed on May 10, 1903 (Zentsuji City).
- What was a Kaikosha?
- An association of army officers for friendship and study founded in 1877; its clubhouses were also called Kaikosha (Zentsuji City).
- What is the architecture of the Former Zentsuji Kaikosha like?
- A single-storey timber building of simple Renaissance design with an entrance porch on the north front (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can I visit the Former Zentsuji Kaikosha?
- Yes, free of charge from 10:00 to 16:00, except when rooms are in use (Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association).
- When was the Former Zentsuji Kaikosha designated?
- On June 15, 2001.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Zentsuji Kaikosha (旧善通寺偕行社) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-1-1 Bunkyocho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2001/6/15 (Heisei 13) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, building area 678.4 square metres, pantiled roof, front entrance porch |
| Owner | Zentsuji City |
| Public Access | Open free 10:00 to 16:00 (not while in use; closed at New Year) |
References
- Former Zentsuji Kaikosha (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/3708
- Former Zentsuji Kaikosha (Zentsuji City)
- https://www.city.zentsuji.kagawa.jp/soshiki/50/kaikousya.html
- Conservation report of the Former Zentsuji Kaikosha (Zentsuji City)
- https://www.city.zentsuji.kagawa.jp/soshiki/50/kaikousyaayumi.html
- Former Zentsuji Kaikosha (Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association)
- https://www.my-kagawa.jp/point/334
Last verified: 2026.10.10