Nissha Printing Main Building

Nissha Main Building: A Meiji-Era Brick Jewel in Kyoto

Standing quietly on Shijo-dori in Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward, the Nissha Main Building — formally registered as the Nihon Shashin Insatsu Honkan — is one of the city's rarest surviving brick structures from the Meiji period. Built in 1906 as the headquarters of a textile company, this graceful two-story Western-style edifice has witnessed over a century of Kyoto's transformation from an imperial capital to a modern metropolis. Today, it serves as the NISSHA Printing History Museum, inviting visitors to explore both the beauty of Meiji-era architecture and the fascinating story of printing technology through the ages.

A History Woven from Textiles to Printing

The story of this building begins in 1895, when the Gonikkai Kyoto Mennel Kabushiki Kaisha (Kyoto Flannel Company) was established. Operations commenced on this site in 1898, and by 1906, the company had erected this stately brick building as its head office. The site itself holds even deeper historical significance: it occupies the former grounds of the Suzaku-in, an imperial retirement palace used by Emperor Uda, Emperor Murakami, and other sovereigns during the Heian period — placing it at the very heart of ancient Kyoto's capital.

In 1946, Nihon Shashin Insatsu (Japan Photo Printing, later renamed NISSHA in 2017) was founded, and in 1948 the company acquired this property, including the main building and factory grounds, from Shimadzu Corporation. The building served as NISSHA's corporate headquarters from 1947 until 1980. Recognizing the building's historical and architectural importance, NISSHA undertook a comprehensive structural survey starting in 2003, followed by a full preservation and seismic reinforcement project completed in December 2008. The following year, the NISSHA Printing History Museum opened on the ground floor.

Why It Was Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

In December 2011, the Agency for Cultural Affairs officially registered the Nissha Main Building as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building). The designation recognizes the building as a distinguished example of Meiji-period brick office architecture, notable for its elegant Western-style design. Brick buildings are exceedingly rare in Kyoto, making this structure particularly valuable as a surviving testament to the city's industrial modernization during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The building also holds Kyoto City designation as one of "Buildings and Gardens that Color Kyoto" (Selection No. 7-016 and Certification No. 93), further acknowledging its architectural and cultural importance within the urban landscape.

Architectural Highlights and Design Features

The Nissha Main Building is a two-story brick structure with a total building area of approximately 346 square meters. Its Western-style design incorporates several remarkable architectural elements that reward careful observation.

The NISSHA Printing History Museum

The ground floor of the main building now houses the NISSHA Printing History Museum, operated and managed by the NISSHA Foundation. This compact but richly curated museum traces the history of printing from its earliest origins to the modern era, featuring an impressive collection of rare artifacts.

Among the highlights are a cuneiform clay tablet dating back approximately 4,000 years, the Hyakumanto Darani — one of the world's oldest surviving examples of mass-produced printing from eighth-century Japan — and a first edition of "Kaitai Shinsho" (New Book of Anatomy), the landmark 1774 Japanese translation of a Dutch anatomical text. Visitors can also see a replica of a Gutenberg printing press, a facsimile of the famous 42-line Bible, an original Senefelder lithographic press, and a Heidelberg letterpress — tangible links to milestones in the global history of the printed word.

Additional exhibition rooms display architectural remnants from the Meiji-era building itself, antique European typewriters, vintage pencil sharpeners, and a reading corner where visitors can freely browse lavishly printed Japanese art volumes.

Surrounding Area and Nearby Attractions

The Nissha Main Building stands in Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward, a vibrant district that blends historic atmosphere with modern convenience. Several notable destinations lie within easy walking distance.

• Mibu-dera Temple — Just a short walk south, this temple is famous for its connections to the Shinsengumi, the elite samurai police force of the late Edo period. The temple also hosts the unique Mibu Kyogen pantomime performances in spring and autumn.
• Kyoto Shijo-Omiya Area — The intersection of Shijo-dori and Omiya-dori offers a lively concentration of shops, restaurants, and cafés, serving as a gateway to both central Kyoto and the Arashiyama scenic area via the Randen tram line.
• Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) — A UNESCO World Heritage Site approximately 1.5 kilometers to the northeast, the castle is famed for its "nightingale floors" and magnificent Ninomaru Palace with painted screens by the Kano school.
• Kyoto Railway Museum — Located near Kyoto Station to the south, this museum is an excellent companion visit for those interested in Japan's industrial heritage.

Visiting Tips for International Travelers

The NISSHA Printing History Museum welcomes individual and group visitors by appointment. Reservations can be made by telephone at least one day in advance. Admission is free. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays). Please enter through the main gate facing Shijo-dori.

While museum exhibits and signage are primarily in Japanese, the architectural beauty of the building itself transcends language barriers. Photography enthusiasts will find the exterior and interior details particularly rewarding subjects. Visitors with an interest in architecture, printing, industrial history, or Meiji-era culture will find this a memorable and uncrowded alternative to Kyoto's more famous tourist sites.