Retro Architecture “1928 Building”, a Complex Facility with Theater, Art Gallery and Cafes

“1928 Building” which was built in 1928 as the name suggests is a complex facility, including the theater, art gallery and cafes. The building has been popular for a wide range of ages as the retro architecture representative of Kyoto.

“1928 Building” was built as the Kyoto branch office of the Mainichi Newspaper in 1928. It was designed by architect Takeda Goichi (武田五一) called ‘the father of the Kansai Architect World’, and the feature of the building is the balcony shaped like a seashell and star-shaped company emblem of Mainichi Newspaper. These designs are affected by the architectural style ‘Art Deco’, which was popular in Europe and the United States from the 1910s to1930s. The historic building is one of the monumental ones in Japan, so it was designated as a registered tangible cultural property of Kyoto City in 1983.

Currently, the architecture has been a complex building with various facilities such as restaurant ‘INDEPENDANTS’ on the 1st basement floor, Cafe ‘Human made 1928’ on the 1st floor, ‘DOHJIDAI GALLERY of art’ on the 2nd floor and Non-Verbal Theatre ‘GEAR’ on the 3rd floor.

Above all, ‘DOHJIDAI GALLERY’ on the 2nd floor is a popular place to enjoy contemporary art for ordinary people. The floor widely offers a place of expression regardless of genre and generation, has displayed such works of young artists. In addition, theatre ‘GEAR’ on the 3rd floor is now performing a non-verbal by using only expression and movement without any words. The theatre is providing entertainment not only children but also foreign tourists can enjoy the show.

“1928 Building” where you can enjoy such as stage drama and modern art. Why not feel the new entertainment and art from Kyoto with a retro atmosphere?