Former Sixty-Eight Bank Yagi Branch: A Renaissance Jewel in Kashihara

Standing proudly along National Route 165 in the historic town of Yagi, Kashihara City, the Former Sixty-Eight Bank Yagi Branch (旧六十八銀行八木支店) is one of the most striking examples of early Showa-era modern architecture in southern Nara Prefecture. Built in 1928, this elegant reinforced concrete building blends Western Renaissance-inspired design with the ambitions of Japan's rapidly modernizing banking industry. Today, as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property and an active French restaurant, it offers visitors a rare opportunity to step inside a living piece of architectural history.

A Brief History of the Sixty-Eight Bank

The Sixty-Eight Bank (六十八銀行) traces its origins to 1879, when Yanagisawa Yasunobu, the former lord of the Koriyama Domain, proposed the establishment of a national bank — officially known as the Sixty-Eighth National Bank (第六十八国立銀行). The Yagi Branch was constructed in 1928 to serve the commercially vibrant crossroads town of Yagi, which had long prospered as a transportation hub where the ancient north–south Shimo-tsu Michi road met the east–west Yokō-ōji highway.

In 1934, the Sixty-Eight Bank merged with three other regional banks — the Yoshino Bank, the Yagi Bank, and the Gose Bank — to form the Nanto Bank, which remains one of Nara Prefecture's leading financial institutions to this day. The Yagi Branch building subsequently served as a cinema during the postwar years before becoming the Kashihara Branch of the Wakayama Sogo Bank (later Wakayama Bank) in 1963. After the branch was consolidated, the building was reborn in 1993 as the French restaurant and wedding venue "Jour Ferie la Bank," which continues to operate today.

Architectural Significance and Cultural Property Designation

The Former Sixty-Eight Bank Yagi Branch was designed by Funabashi Shunichi, a Nara Prefecture government engineer who had previously designed the Koriyama Elementary School in 1924 — the first reinforced concrete building in Nara Prefecture. Funabashi was a pioneering figure in introducing modern earthquake-resistant construction to the region in the wake of the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

The building is recognized as one of the oldest surviving reinforced concrete structures in southern Nara Prefecture. Its facade features a symmetrical design with shallow projecting wings on either side, creating a dignified and balanced composition. The central entrance is crowned by a semicircular arched window, flanked by a pair of Ionic-order columns — hallmarks of the Renaissance revival style popular in Japanese bank architecture of the era. Geometric decorative details and the distinctive running-bond tile work around the entrance add a touch of modernist sensibility to the classical framework.

In recognition of its architectural and historical value, the building was designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on October 18, 2006 — the first such designation in Kashihara City. Around 2013, the building was carefully relocated several meters backward through the traditional Japanese technique of hikiya (building relocation) to accommodate a road-widening project, preserving its heritage while adapting to modern urban needs.

Highlights and Attractions

Even from the outside, the Former Sixty-Eight Bank commands attention with its imposing yet graceful facade. The interplay between the smooth concrete surfaces, the classical columns, and the arched window creates a visual harmony that stands in fascinating contrast to the surrounding modern streetscape. Visitors with an interest in architecture will appreciate the geometric ornamentation and the carefully proportioned facade that reflects the confidence and ambition of the early Showa era.

Inside, the building has been thoughtfully renovated as "Jour Ferie la Bank," a French restaurant that has been in operation since 1993. The restaurant preserves the grandeur of the original banking hall — the high ceilings, the sense of spacious elegance — while adding warmth and intimacy through carefully chosen furnishings and lighting. Diners can enjoy refined French cuisine prepared with carefully selected ingredients, including A4-grade Japanese black wagyu beef, all within an atmosphere that evokes the sophistication of early 20th-century Japan. The venue also hosts weddings, private parties, and live music performances, making the most of the building's majestic interior spaces.

Exploring the Surroundings

The Former Sixty-Eight Bank is ideally situated for a day of exploration in the Kashihara area, one of Nara Prefecture's richest cultural districts. Just a short walk away is Imai-cho, a remarkably well-preserved merchant town designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. With approximately 500 traditional structures dating from the Edo period, Imai-cho offers a striking contrast to the Showa-era modernity of the former bank building. Several Important Cultural Properties within the district are open to visitors, and charming cafes and restaurants occupy renovated townhouses throughout the area.

Nearby Kashihara Shrine (橿原神宮), one of Japan's most significant Shinto shrines, is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan. The Fujiwara Palace ruins (藤原宮跡), where Japan's first permanent capital was established in 694, offer vast open spaces filled with seasonal flowers. Ofusa Kannon temple, known for its beautiful rose garden and traditional wind chime festival in summer, is also within easy reach. Together, these sites create a rich tapestry of Japanese history spanning from ancient times to the modern era.