A Japanese-Style Courthouse of 1920
The Uki City International Exchange Village Law Hall (Former Misumi Summary Court Main Building) (宇城市国際交流村法の館（旧三角簡易裁判所本館）) is a strongly Japanese-style regional courthouse by the Ministry of Justice of 1920 in Misumimachi Misumiura, Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on May 15, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
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The Agency records a single-storey timber building with a tiled roof and a building area of 288 square metres; registration number 43-0087.
A Courthouse with a Curved Porch Gable
The Uki City International Exchange Village occupies the buildings of the former Misumi Summary Court of 1920 on a rise overlooking the port; its main building, records storehouse and waiting room for lawyers are registered (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Law Hall, the former main building of the court, faces east, a single-storey hipped timber building with a tiled roof and a porch with a gently curved gable projecting at the centre; the courtroom is in the north-east corner (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Its exposed-post walls have vertical boards below, clapboard above and white plaster under the eaves. The Agency calls it a fine example of a strongly Japanese-style regional courthouse built by the Ministry of Justice.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
At the Law Hall, look for the porch with its curved gable, the exposed-post walls and the courtroom in the north-east corner (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Uki City (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on opening hours was found. The Law Hall, the Important Documents Exhibition Room and the Traditional Crafts Hall are introduced together on the Uki City International Exchange Village (Former Misumi Summary Court) page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1920 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is it?
- On a rise overlooking the port.
- Where is the courtroom?
- In the north-east corner.
- Why does it matter?
- It is a fine Japanese-style courthouse.
- When was the Uki City International Exchange Village Law Hall (Former Misumi Summary Court Main Building) registered?
- On May 15, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Uki City International Exchange Village Law Hall (Former Misumi Summary Court Main Building) (宇城市国際交流村法の館（旧三角簡易裁判所本館）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1031 Misumimachi Misumiura, Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007/05/15 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, tiled roof, 288 m² |
| Owner | Uki City |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Uki City International Exchange Village Law Hall (Former Misumi Summary Court Main Building) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006089
Last verified: 2026.11.06
