The First Main Building of the Omi Sanatorium
The Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) (ヴォーリズ記念病院旧本館（ツッカーハウス）) is a timber Western-style building at Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, built in 1918 as the main building of the Omi Sanatorium for tuberculosis, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 7, 2014. It was remodelled in 1934 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Vories Memorial Hospital).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records two storeys of timber, partly three, with a tiled roof and a building area of 354 square metres, registration number 25-0348, owned by the Omi Brotherhood foundation.
Mary Tucker's Gift
According to Vories Memorial Hospital, tuberculosis was then raging in Japan, and W. M. Vories had long appealed to friends in America to help build a modern sanatorium. His friend Mary Tucker answered with a large gift for the building in memory of her mother Anna, who had died of the disease.
The dedication of the sanatorium's main building took place on May 25, 1918; the Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) is named after its donor. The Omi Sanatorium was renamed in 1946 and later became Vories Memorial Hospital (Vories Memorial Hospital).
Value as a Registered Cultural Property
The Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) was registered as a building that has become a model of design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that its interior also shows Vories's style, and that wide openings on the upper floor, where the sickrooms were, provided ventilation and light, as befits a tuberculosis ward.
What to Look For
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a gabled three-storey centre with wings to either side ending in half-octagons, and an entrance porch of round arches with a bay window above.
The Omihachiman official tourism site presents the Omi Sanatorium as simple architecture notable for its beautiful setting and harmony with nature, and the Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) was at its heart.
Visiting
The Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) is at 492 Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman City. No public opening information has been confirmed, so contact the Omi Brotherhood or Vories Memorial Hospital before planning a visit.
See the group page Vories Memorial Hospital (Former Omi Sanatorium) for this building and the chapel on the same site.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Shiga
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House)
- [ Hikone Castle & Lake Biwa Cruise Experiences ]
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1918; it was remodelled in 1934 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who was Tucker?
- Mary Tucker, a friend of Vories who funded the sanatorium building (Vories Memorial Hospital).
- How was it designed for tuberculosis patients?
- Wide openings on the upper floor, where the sickrooms were, gave ventilation and light (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What does it look like?
- A three-storey centre with wings ending in half-octagons and a round-arched porch (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) registered?
- On October 7, 2014.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) (ヴォーリズ記念病院旧本館（ツッカーハウス）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 492 Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2014/10/07 (Heisei 26) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, 2 storeys partly 3, tiled roof, building area 354 square metres |
| Owner | Omi Brotherhood foundation |
| Public Access | No public opening information |
References
- Former Main Building of Vories Memorial Hospital (Tucker House) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010179
- Vories Memorial Hospital Chapel (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007751
- Chapel (Vories Memorial Hospital)
- https://www.vories.or.jp/about/chapel
- History of Vories and the Hospital (Vories Memorial Hospital)
- https://www.vories.or.jp/about/history
- Vories Buildings (Omihachiman Official Tourism Site)
- https://www.omi8.com/stories/vories/buildings
Last verified: 2026.10.11
