Nissha Printing Main Building

A Meiji Office Building in Kyoto

The Nissha Printing Main Building (日本写真印刷本館) is a two-storey brick office building of 1906 in Mibu Hanai-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on February 23, 2012. It has a mansard roof and a porch on Corinthian columns (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as two-storey brick with a sheet-iron roof and a building area of 346 square metres, renovated around 1975 and in 2008; registration number 26-0395, owned by NISSHA Co., Ltd.

From Flannel Mill Office to Printing Company Headquarters

According to the NISSHA Foundation, the building stands on the site of the Suzaku-in, a retired emperors' palace at the heart of the Heian capital, and was built in 1906 as the head office of the Kyoto Flannel Company. Nissha Printing (now NISSHA) acquired the land and building in 1948 and used it as its headquarters until 1980.

Structural surveys began around 2003, and conservation work including seismic strengthening was completed in December 2008. The NISSHA Printing History Museum opened the following year, and the NISSHA Foundation manages the building (NISSHA Foundation).

Why It Was Registered

The Nissha Printing Main Building was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as a brick office building of fine Meiji design.

What to Look For

The Nissha Printing Main Building has a mansard roof with roof ornaments, walls rendered in mortar to imitate stone, and rows of arched windows (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

At the centre of the front is a porch on Corinthian columns (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Entering by the main gate on Shijo-dori, you see the columned porch at the front of the Meiji office.

Visiting the Nissha Printing Main Building

According to the NISSHA Foundation, visits to the main building and the NISSHA Printing History Museum are by reservation only, made by telephone at least three business days ahead. Admission is free. It is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on weekends and public holidays.

Enter through NISSHA's main gate on Shijo-dori. It is just by the Shijo Nakashinmichi city bus stop, or about 10 minutes' walk from Saiin or Omiya stations on the Hankyu and Keifuku lines. Bookings go to the NISSHA Foundation office (075-823-5318) (NISSHA Foundation).