A Taisho Bank on the Ushimado Waterfront Street
The Former Chugoku Bank Ushimado Branch (旧中國銀行牛窓支店) is a single-storey bank building completed in 1915 in Ushimado, Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on May 7, 1997. It now serves as the Machikado Musée Ushimado Bunkakan on the Shiomachi Karakoto-dori street.
In the Agency for Cultural Affairs record the structure field reads brick, single storey, building area 104 square metres; registration number 33-0015, owned by Setouchi City. The Agency's own description, however, calls it a reinforced-concrete single-storey bank, so the record is not consistent on the structure. According to the Okayama tourism federation, it was built as the head office of Ushimado Bank and later served as the Chugoku Bank's Ushimado branch until 1980.
Why It Was Registered
The Former Chugoku Bank Ushimado Branch was registered as a building that has become a model of design. The Agency points to its exterior and its plainly finished interior, and calls it a good example of bank architecture from the late Meiji to Taisho eras. It was designed by Kobayashi Seiichi (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
The outer walls of the Ushimado bank are faced with German brick laid in header bond (Agency for Cultural Affairs), with only the short ends of each brick showing, so the whole wall is a fine grid of small rectangles. At the eaves a moulded mortar cornice finishes the top of the red wall.
Inside, the banking hall rises through the full height. A cornice runs around the top of the plastered walls, decorated with a continuous floral pattern. The Agency describes the finish as plain overall, which makes that band of ornament at the top of the walls the thing to look for.
Visiting the Former Ushimado Bank
The Former Chugoku Bank Ushimado Branch is open as a facility introducing the culture of the Shiomachi Karakoto-dori street (Okayama tourism federation). We found no official opening days or hours, so check with the Setouchi City Culture and Tourism Division (0869-22-3953) before visiting.
It is about a 10-minute walk from Ushimado Port, or about 15 minutes by car from the Oku Interchange on the Okayama Blue Line. The street is narrow and there is no parking at the building; use the car parks around the port and walk. The address is 2835-1 Ushimado, Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City.
Q&A
- When was the Former Chugoku Bank Ushimado Branch built?
- In 1915, as the head office of Ushimado Bank.
- What is special about the Ushimado bank's brickwork?
- Its walls are faced with German brick laid in header bond, topped with a moulded mortar cornice.
- When was the Former Chugoku Bank Ushimado Branch registered as a cultural property?
- On May 7, 1997.
- Can you go inside the Former Chugoku Bank Ushimado Branch?
- It is open as the Machikado Musée Ushimado Bunkakan; confirm opening times with Setouchi City.
- Is there parking at the former Ushimado bank?
- No. Park near Ushimado Port and walk about 10 minutes.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Chugoku Bank Ushimado Branch (旧中國銀行牛窓支店) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2835-1 Ushimado, Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1997/5/7 (Heisei 9) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Brick, single storey (the Agency's description says reinforced concrete); building area 104 square metres |
| Owner | Setouchi City |
| Public Access | Open as the Machikado Musée Ushimado Bunkakan (check opening times) |
References
- Former Chugoku Bank Ushimado Branch (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000169
- Machikado Musée Ushimado Bunkakan (Okayama Tourism Federation)
- https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/spot/detail_11127.html
Last verified: 2026.10.06