Ogimi Village Old Town Hall

Old Ogimi Village Office: Okinawa's Oldest Surviving Reinforced Concrete Building

Standing quietly beside the modern Ogimi Village Office in the northern reaches of Okinawa's main island, the Old Ogimi Village Office (大宜味村役場旧庁舎) is a remarkable survivor of early 20th-century architecture. Completed in 1925 during the Taishō era, this white, Western-style building is the oldest existing reinforced concrete structure in Okinawa Prefecture. Its distinctive octagonal tower and cross-shaped floor plan make it one of the most architecturally unique municipal buildings in all of Japan. Designated as a national Important Cultural Property in 2017, the former village hall stands as a testament to the ingenuity of its designer and the resilience of Okinawan heritage through war and time.

Historical Background

In the early 1920s, Okinawa's buildings were predominantly wooden structures, constantly vulnerable to the powerful typhoons and voracious termites that plague the subtropical islands. Kiyomura Tsutomu, a construction engineer for the Kunigami District, envisioned a solution: a village office built entirely of reinforced concrete, a material rarely used in Okinawa at the time. His bold design was realized in 1925 (Taishō 14), producing a building that was revolutionary not only for its materials but also for its form.

Kiyomura reportedly drew inspiration from Western postcards for the building's modern aesthetic. He also pioneered the use of the metric system in its design — a forward-thinking choice for the era. The building served as Ogimi Village's administrative center for nearly half a century, from 1925 until 1972, when operations moved to a new facility. Remarkably, the structure survived the devastating Battle of Okinawa in 1945, making it one of the very few pre-war buildings still standing in the prefecture.

Why It Was Designated an Important Cultural Property

The Agency for Cultural Affairs designated the Old Ogimi Village Office as a national Important Cultural Property (building) in 2017. The designation recognized several key aspects of the building's significance:

• It is the earliest and oldest surviving reinforced concrete building in Okinawa Prefecture, representing a pioneering moment in the introduction of modern construction techniques to the region.
• As a municipal office, it was among the first public buildings in all of Japan to adopt reinforced concrete construction, making it nationally significant.
• The building provides invaluable insight into the spread and development of reinforced concrete architecture in Okinawa, a technology that would later define the prefecture's built environment.
• Its unique octagonal and cruciform plan demonstrates creative architectural responses to Okinawa's challenging climate.

Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest

The most striking feature of the Old Ogimi Village Office is its unusual floor plan, which combines a cross shape with an octagonal form. The central hall is surrounded by office spaces, and above the hall rises an octagonal, tower-like second story that gives the building its distinctive silhouette. This octagonal design was not merely decorative — it was a practical solution to reduce wind pressure from typhoons, allowing strong winds to flow around the structure rather than striking flat walls.

The exterior presents a charming Western-style appearance with its white-painted concrete walls, arched windows, and balanced proportions. Despite its modest scale, the building has an almost civic grandeur that speaks to the ambitions of the community that built it. In 2012, the village even held a celebration for the building's 88th birthday — the traditional Okinawan "tōkachi" longevity milestone — reflecting the deep affection residents hold for this architectural landmark. In 2025, the building celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special one-day public opening of its interior.

Visitor Information

The Old Ogimi Village Office is located adjacent to the current Ogimi Village Office in the Ōganeku district. The exterior can be viewed freely at any time, though the building's interior is normally kept locked. Special openings are occasionally organized by the village; visitors interested in seeing the interior should inquire with the Ogimi Village Board of Education in advance.

The building is situated about 100 meters inland from the coast, offering a pleasant setting within the quiet village. Admission is free for exterior viewing. Parking is available at the adjacent village office.

Access from Naha is approximately 150 minutes by car via general roads, or about 80 minutes from the Kyoda Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway. By bus, take Route 67 (Hentona Line) to the Ogimi Village Office-mae bus stop, then walk about 5 minutes.

Surrounding Attractions

The village of Ogimi is known as the "Village of Longevity" and offers a tranquil glimpse into traditional northern Okinawan life. Nearby attractions include:

• Kijoka Bashōfu Weaving: The neighboring village of Kijoka is famous for its UNESCO-recognized tradition of weaving cloth from banana fiber (bashōfu). The Kijoka Bashōfu Hall offers exhibits and demonstrations of this ancient craft.
• Shioya Bay and the Ungami Festival: The scenic Shioya Bay area hosts the Ungami sea deity festival, a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property with over 400 years of history.
• Roadside Station Ogimi (Michi-no-Eki Ogimi): A popular rest stop offering local produce, including Ogimi's famous shikuwasa citrus, locally grown soba noodles, and red-soil daikon radish.
• Kouri Island: About 10 km to the south, this scenic island is connected by a photogenic bridge and known for its beautiful beaches and legendary Heart Rock.
• Yanbaru National Park: The surrounding Yanbaru region is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, home to rare wildlife including the Okinawa rail and Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle.