Within 5 mins walk from Yodoyabashi Sta.! 3 cultural property buildings with out-of-the-box structures that were born in the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods

Being one of the most famous business districts in Osaka, Yodoyabashi area was named after a bridge that was built by ‘Yodoya,’ Japan’s biggest timber dealer, during the Edo period. It seemed that this area was crowded with wealthy merchants including Yodoya because cargo ships used to operate on the Tosabori River flowing under Yodoyabashi Bridge. For this reason, you can find vestiges of prosperity such as The Bank of Japan Old Osaka Branch and Osaka City Central Public Hall in the modern scenery of skyscrapers. This time, we’re going to introduce 3 cultural property buildings using unconventional architectural styles that were built by wealthy merchants during the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods.

Yodoyabashi Station is 3 stations away from Namba Station on the Midosuji line, one of Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba’s nearest ones.

“Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library” with a history since the Meiji period, using different architectural styles inside and outside

“Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library (大阪府立中之島図書館)” was built in 1904 (37th year of the Meiji) by the trigger of the donation of Sumitomo Bank founder, Yoshizaemon Sumitomo. The main building whose exterior is based on the Renaissance style and interior is done on the Baroque one was designed by Magoichi Noguchi, the chief engineer of the Sumitomo family. When you pass through the front entrance looking like Parthenon, a dome-shaped central hall where rays of sunlight shine through the stained glass on the ceiling is laid out before your eyes. The design is so gorgeous and luxurious makes you feel as if you’re in a castle and the power and spirit of the Sumitomo family. At present, the main building and 2 ones on the left and right that were built in 1923 are designated as national important cultural properties. Why not spend a relaxing time while doing whatever you want like exploring here to trace the history, reading precious books in a solemn atmosphere and so on?

Opening Hours	Weekdays 9:00AM – 8:00PM／Saturday 9:00AM – 5:00PM Closed on Sunday
Address	1-2-10 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	A 3-minute walk from Yodoyabashi Station
URL	https://www.library.pref.osaka.jp/site/nakato/english-nakato.html

“Osaka Club,” Japan’s first building with the free architectural style that allows you to feel Taisho modernism

“Osaka Club (大阪倶楽部)” is still used as the base for a members-only social club founded by business leaders in Osaka. Built in 1924 (13th year of the Taisho), this current building is one of Osaka’s three greatest architecture along with the cotton trade hall and Osaka gas building. It is also Japan’s first building that uses ‘Free Architectural Style’ invented by Takeo Yasui -the Southern European style and Oriental one are combined in order to produce space comfortable for Japanese people. Therefore, there are not only stone arches and bricks but also totem pole with the oriental style pattern and doors, beams, and shelves made by woods. To be earthquake and fire resistant, rare for buildings at the time, is one of its features, too. This building showing Taisho modernism like that has received many titles, such as a national registered tangible cultural property and heritage of industrial modernization.

Opening Hours	No entry except when open days for this building is held.
Address	4-4-11 Imabashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Yodoyabashi Station
URL	http://osaka-club.or.jp/

The former school for brides in the Showa period. “Shibakawa Building” with a structure focusing on earthquake and fire resistance

The national tangible cultural property “Shibakawa Building (芝川ビル)” was built by Matashiro Shibakawa. The Shibakawa family used to run Karamono quotient (Western goods import business), but they thought the business would decline and started asset management. He also made a living from the same business and built wooden Shibakawa building. Then, he rebuilt it because he learned Osaka Club was excellent in earthquake and fire resistance. Although Japanese style architecture was commonplace at that time, this building was reborn as a reinforced concrete one with the Mayan Inca decorations of South America. During the Showa period, it was used as a school for brides (芝蘭社家政学園), and now, there are various unique eateries and clothes stores and events are sometimes held on the rooftop terrace.

Opening Hours	Please opening hours on the official website because they vary depending on each store.
Address	3-3-3 Fushimi-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	Close to Yodoyabashi Station
URL	http://shibakawa-bld.net/