A Meiji Sanatorium Ward on the Shonan Coast
The Former Nankoin Sanatorium Ward No. 1 (旧南湖院第一病舎) is a tuberculosis sanatorium ward of 1899 in Nango, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 27, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a two-storey timber building with a slate roof and a building area of 115 square metres, altered in 1979, 1983 and 2003; registration number 14-256.
A Ward Built for Light and Air
The Former Nankoin Sanatorium Ward No. 1 is a two-storey timber ward in the north of the grounds (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Its rectangular block is varied by a gabled entrance on the north and a stair tower projecting on the west. The weatherboarded walls are lined with sash windows, those upstairs topped by pediments, and the many openings were planned for light and ventilation.
According to Chigasaki City, Nankoin was opened in 1899 as a sanatorium to fight tuberculosis; this ward was completed in September 1899 and was also named after the founder's mother.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency calls it a rare Meiji tuberculosis ward in Shonan, a region famous for convalescence, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the tall sash windows and the triangular pediments over the upper windows (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Chigasaki City).
Visiting
According to Chigasaki City, the ward stands in the Nankoin Memorial Taiyo no Sato Garden and can be seen from outside only. The garden opens on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except over the New Year), from 10:00 to 17:00 between April and October and to 16:30 between November and March, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Take a Kanachu bus from the south exit of JR Chigasaki Station to Nakamachi, then walk 7 minutes (leaflet of April 2023).
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1899 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was Nankoin?
- A sanatorium opened in 1899 to fight tuberculosis (Chigasaki City).
- What is distinctive about it?
- Sash windows with pediments and many openings for light and air.
- Can I visit?
- It can be seen from outside in the memorial garden (Chigasaki City).
- When was the Former Nankoin Sanatorium Ward No. 1 registered?
- On March 27, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Former Nankoin Sanatorium Ward No. 1 (旧南湖院第一病舎) |
|---|---|
| Location | 7-12869-201 Nango, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/03/27 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Two-storey timber, slate roof, 115 m² |
| Owner | Chigasaki City |
| Public Access | In the Nankoin Memorial Garden, exterior only (Chigasaki City) |
References
- Former Nankoin Sanatorium Ward No. 1 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012137
- Former Nankoin Ward No. 1 and memorial garden (Chigasaki City leaflet, Japanese)
- https://www.city.chigasaki.kanagawa.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/037/070/0401nankoin.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.21