Hogetsudo South Building: Where Western Elegance Meets Japanese Tradition
Tucked away in the historic castle town of Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, the Hogetsudo South Building (寳月堂南館, Hogetsudo Minami-kan) stands as a remarkable testament to the architectural creativity of early Showa-era Japan. Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in March 2018, this distinctive building seamlessly blends Western and Japanese architectural styles in a way that surprises and delights visitors.
What makes this cultural property truly special is that it is not a museum piece preserved behind glass — it is the home of Hogetsudo (寳月堂), a beloved confectionery shop that has been crafting traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi) since its founding in 1917 (Taisho 6). Here, you can admire the architecture of a nationally registered cultural property while savoring exquisite handmade sweets — a rare and unforgettable cultural experience.
Architectural Features: A Unique Fusion of East and West
The Hogetsudo South Building is a wooden structure, two stories with a partial third story, covered with a tile roof and encompassing a building area of approximately 216 square meters. Its most striking feature is the remarkable contrast between its two halves.
The northern portion of the facade is finished with glazed ceramic tiles and capped with terracotta Spanish-style roof tiles, giving it a decidedly Western European appearance. This style, sometimes called "Spanish Colonial" or "Mediterranean Revival," was fashionable in Japan during the Taisho and early Showa periods as the country embraced international architectural influences.
The southern portion, by contrast, presents a traditional Japanese machiya (townhouse) appearance, featuring a flat-entry (hirairі) design with walls coated in striking black lacquered plaster (kuro-shikkui). This side of the building evokes the atmosphere of an Edo-period merchant district, connecting the structure to the deep-rooted heritage of Marugame's castle town.
Step inside, and the architectural blending becomes even more fascinating. The interior houses a Western-style room complete with a fireplace and elegant wainscoted wood paneling, alongside traditional Japanese rooms including tatami-floored reception rooms (zashiki) and even a tea ceremony room (chashitsu). This complex interplay of styles reflects the cosmopolitan aspirations and cultural pride of early 20th-century Japanese merchants.
Why It Was Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property
The Hogetsudo South Building was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property on March 27, 2018, in recognition of its architectural significance. The Agency for Cultural Affairs noted that it exemplifies the creative blending of diverse design elements characteristic of early Showa-era commercial architecture.
The building's value lies in several key areas. First, it demonstrates how Japanese builders of the early 20th century incorporated Western architectural vocabulary — glazed tiles, Spanish roof tiles, fireplaces, and wainscoting — while maintaining traditional Japanese spatial concepts such as tatami rooms and tea ceremony spaces. Second, the building survives in remarkably good condition, preserving original materials and design features from the Taisho and early Showa periods. Third, as an active commercial property that continues to serve its original purpose as a confectionery shop, it represents a living example of Japan's cultural heritage in daily use.
Hogetsudo: A Century-Old Confectionery Legacy
The building serves as the home of Hogetsudo, a wagashi (Japanese confectionery) shop founded in 1917 during the Taisho era. For over a century, this family-run establishment has been crafting traditional sweets that reflect the culture and history of Marugame and the wider Sanuki (Kagawa) region.
Among the shop's most celebrated creations is "Rokumanngoku" (六万石), named after the official rice yield of the former Marugame Domain. This elegant confection wraps smooth bean paste in soft mochi (rice cake), then sandwiches it between crisp monaka wafers stamped with the Yotsume-yui crest — the official family crest of the Kyogoku lords who once ruled Marugame, used with special permission from descendants of the family.
Another signature item is "Kyogoku-sama" (京極さま), a baked sweet inspired by the traditional Momoyama confection, featuring a glossy egg-yolk glaze. The shop also produces "Marugame Uchiwa Senbei," rice crackers shaped like the famous Marugame round fans (uchiwa) for which the city is renowned — Marugame produces approximately 90 percent of all uchiwa made in Japan.
Hogetsudo also offers wasanbon sugar confections crafted using fine-grain sugar traditionally produced in eastern Kagawa, as well as the colorful local specialty called "oiri" — light, airy puffed rice sweets traditionally served at weddings in the Sanuki region.
The current generation combines time-honored techniques with contemporary creativity. Visitors can participate in wagashi-making workshops, learning to shape delicate nerikiri (molded bean paste sweets) under the guidance of skilled artisans. During summer months, the shop serves artisanal shaved ice (kakigori) made with locally sourced ingredients.
Highlights and What to See
A visit to the Hogetsudo South Building offers a multi-layered experience that combines architectural appreciation, cultural immersion, and gastronomic pleasure.
Begin by examining the exterior, where the dramatic contrast between the Western tiled facade with its Spanish roof tiles and the traditional black-plastered machiya wall creates an unforgettable visual impression. Notice how the two styles meet and transition — a physical manifestation of Japan's cultural dialogue between tradition and modernity during the early 20th century.
Inside the shop, take time to appreciate the architectural details. The Western-style room with its fireplace and wood-paneled walls offers a glimpse into the aspirations of Taisho-era merchants who sought to create spaces that could accommodate both Western and Japanese guests. The tatami rooms and tea ceremony space demonstrate the continuing importance of traditional aesthetics even as the building embraced Western influences.
The shop interior itself was thoughtfully renovated in 2017 to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the business. The renovation preserved original building materials while creating a welcoming modern retail space. The result is a harmonious blend of heritage and contemporary design — much like the building's own architectural philosophy.
Of course, no visit is complete without sampling the sweets. The seasonal nama-gashi (fresh wagashi) are miniature works of art, each one reflecting the natural beauty of the current season — cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, autumn leaves, and winter camellias.
Surrounding Attractions
The Hogetsudo South Building is located in the heart of Marugame's historic castle town, making it an ideal starting point or midpoint for exploring the area's many attractions.
Marugame Castle
Just a short walk from Hogetsudo, Marugame Castle is one of only twelve original wooden castles remaining in Japan. It is celebrated for its stunning stone walls, which rise to a total height of approximately 60 meters — the tallest castle stone walls in the country. The graceful "fan-slope" (ogi no kobai) curvature of the walls is considered one of the finest examples of Edo-period stone masonry. The compact three-story wooden keep is designated as an Important Cultural Property, and the panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea from the castle hilltop are spectacular.
Marugame City Museum
Located within the castle grounds, this museum houses more than 20,000 artifacts related to the history and folk culture of the Marugame area, including materials from the feudal era and traditional crafts.
Marugame Uchiwa Museum
Marugame is the undisputed capital of uchiwa (round fan) production in Japan, and this museum showcases the craft's history and techniques. Visitors can try their hand at making their own uchiwa — a wonderful hands-on cultural experience.
Sanuki Udon and Local Cuisine
Kagawa Prefecture is the heartland of Sanuki udon, and Marugame is home to numerous acclaimed noodle shops. The city is also famous for "honetsuki-dori" (bone-in roasted chicken), with the legendary Ikkaku restaurant's main branch located nearby. These culinary experiences pair perfectly with a cultural heritage visit.
Kotohira-gu Shrine (Konpira-san)
About 30 minutes south of Marugame by train lies one of Shikoku's most famous shrines, Kotohira-gu, popularly known as "Konpira-san." The ascent of 1,368 stone steps to the inner shrine is a classic pilgrimage experience, and the area is rich in traditional inns and shops.
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Q＆A
- Can I go inside the Hogetsudo South Building?
- Yes. The building currently operates as the Hogetsudo confectionery shop and is open to customers during regular business hours (generally 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, until 5:00 PM on Wednesdays). While not all rooms are accessible to the general public, visitors can appreciate many of the architectural features while browsing and purchasing sweets. The shop is closed only on New Year's Day.
- How do I get to Hogetsudo from Marugame Station?
- The shop is located approximately a 6-minute walk south from JR Marugame Station. Head south from the station's south exit toward Marugame Castle, and you will find the shop along the way in the Komeyamachi (米屋町) neighborhood. Marugame Station is accessible from Takamatsu Station in about 35 minutes by JR Yosan Line, or from Okayama Station in about 40 minutes.
- Is English support available at the shop?
- The shop primarily operates in Japanese. While some product information may be available in English, it is helpful to have a basic translation app ready. The friendly staff will do their best to assist international visitors. For wagashi-making workshops, advance reservations are recommended, and it may be helpful to contact the shop in advance regarding language needs.
- Can I take photographs of the building?
- Photographing the exterior of the building is generally permitted. For interior photography, it is courteous to ask the staff for permission before taking pictures. As this is an active business, please be mindful of other customers and avoid disrupting shop operations.
- What is the best season to visit?
- The Hogetsudo South Building can be enjoyed year-round. Spring (March–April) is particularly lovely when cherry blossoms bloom near Marugame Castle. Summer visitors can enjoy the shop's artisanal shaved ice. Autumn offers pleasant weather and beautiful castle town scenery, while winter brings seasonal wagashi reflecting the quiet beauty of the season. Each visit offers different seasonal sweets to discover.
Basic Information
| Name | Hogetsudo South Building (寳月堂南館 / Hogetsudo Minami-kan) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) — Registered March 27, 2018 |
| Construction Period | Taisho era / 1918 |
| Structure | Wooden, 2-story (partially 3-story), tile roof, building area approximately 216 m² |
| Address | 14-2 Komeyamachi, Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture 763-0004, Japan |
| Current Use | Hogetsudo Confectionery Shop (御菓子司 寳月堂) |
| Business Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (until 5:00 PM on Wednesdays) |
| Closed | New Year's Day only |
| Phone | 0877-23-0300 |
| Access | Approximately 6-minute walk from JR Marugame Station (South Exit) |
| Parking | Available |
References
- 寳月堂南館 — 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/436790
- 国指定文化財等データベース — 寳月堂南館
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00012249
- 御菓子司 寳月堂 公式サイト
- https://hougetudou.com/
- 寶月堂 — 全国菓子工業組合連合会
- https://zenkaren.net/archives/14575
- 寳月堂の丸亀おいり・うちわせんべい・チャイの和三盆 — 老舗食堂
- https://shinise.tv/hogetsudo-kagawa/
- 丸亀市観光協会 — 丸亀城
- https://www.love-marugame.jp/spot/295
- 丸亀城主の名を冠した銘菓、寶月堂の「京極さま」— 丸亀市WEBライター塾
- https://e-maru.games/hougetudoukyougokusama/
Last verified: 2026.03.26