What Is the Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory?
The Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory (旧北村医院（李軒邸）東病棟便所, Kyū Kitamura Iin Riken-tei Higashi Byōtō Benjo) is a detached toilet building from the early Showa period (1926 to 1945) in Tobakamicho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, and was entered on the register of Registered Tangible Cultural Properties on October 14, 2021. It is a single-storey timber building with a gabled, pantiled roof and a building area of 4.2 square meters, set just west of the East Ward with its ridge running east to west.
It is a very small outbuilding, yet its floor tiles and ceilings were finished with real care.
Why It Was Registered
The East Ward Lavatory was registered under the criterion of contributing to the country's historic landscape. The Agency for Cultural Affairs credits it with the standing befitting a doctor's residence.
Although it is only the toilet for a ward, it appears to have been built with both hygiene and the refinement of a respected household in mind. Within 4.2 square meters, the builders even gave its two stalls different ceilings. That level of attention lifts the Kitamura lavatory above an ordinary service building.
What to Look For
Carved brackets carrying the eaves
At the front, bracket arms (Udeki) project from the posts to carry an eave beam set out beyond the wall, and the brackets are carved with molded profiles. The walls leave the posts exposed (Shinkabe). The curves of the brackets give the little facade its character.
A red checkerboard tile floor
Inside, a small entry area in the middle has one stall on each side. The floors of both stalls are laid with red tiles in a checkerboard pattern, easy to wash down and keep clean.
Two stalls, two ceilings
The east stall has a board ceiling on slender battens (a saobuchi ceiling) painted with bengara, the same red pigment used on the East Ward next door. The west stall has a smooth plastered ceiling. Choosing different finishes for two tiny rooms in the same building is the detail that best explains why this lavatory was registered.
Viewing the Lavatory
The Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory stands west of the East Ward, toward the northeast of the compound. No public opening had been announced as of September 27, 2026, and the tiles and ceilings, being interior finishes, cannot be seen. The agency's database shows the north side and the ceiling of the east stall seen from the west. Please do not enter the private grounds.
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Q&A
- When was the Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory built?
- In the early Showa period, between 1926 and 1945, at the same time as the East Ward beside it.
- What is inside the Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory?
- A small central entry area with one stall on each side. Both stalls have floors of red tiles laid in a checkerboard pattern.
- How do the two stalls of the Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory differ?
- In their ceilings. The east stall has a batten-and-board ceiling painted with red bengara, and the west stall has a smooth plastered ceiling.
- Why is the Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered on October 14, 2021, for contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs values it as having the standing befitting a doctor’s residence.
- Can visitors see the Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory?
- No public opening had been announced as of September 27, 2026, and the interior finishes cannot be viewed. Please do not enter the grounds.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory |
|---|---|
| Location | 761-1 Tsujishita, Tobakamicho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | 2021 (registered) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Wooden, 1 storey, tiled roof, building area 4.2 square meters |
| Owner | Not published |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (no opening announced; checked September 27, 2026) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Former Kitamura Clinic (Riken Residence) East Ward Lavatory
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00014034
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Council for Cultural Affairs recommendation on registered buildings (July 16, 2021, Japanese)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/pdf/93246101_01.pdf
Last verified: 2026.09.26
