Architectures and constructions in Kitakyushu-city

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Kitakyushu-city is the best place for learning architecture and construction design. There

are a lot of unique construction designed by renowned architects and civil engineers, 

that were constructed beginning of Japan’s Industrial modernization. The design philosophy

of designers focused on the future can be learned.

 

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UNESCO World Heritage / First Head Office of the Steel Works

Built in 1899, ahead of production facilities. It is an architectural fusion of Japanese and European 

design, a two story red brick building with bilateral symmetry and a central dome set in a Japanese

tile roof. The building is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage as Japan’s Meiji Industrial

Revolution Site.

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Kawachi Reservoir

The first-class civil construction heritage completed in 1927, the triggered the registration of World

Cultural Heritage of Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.  The Kawachi Reservoir was

constructed for the industrial water supply to Yawata Steel Works. The dam was constructed at the

Okura River and upper stream of the dam was expanded and making the 7milion cubic metre reservoir.

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West Japan Industrial Club

Historic Building representing modern Japanese architecture. The building was constructed in

1911 as the former Matsumoto residence, and was designed by renown architectural designer

Tatsuno Kingo, whose representative works was JR Tokyo Station.  The building is designated

as a national cultural asset.  This building is now open to the public, and it is used as a restaurant,

party and wedding reception.

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Otani-kaikan Hall

Built in 1927, opened as an employee club of the then-owned Yawata Steel Works The western-style

building of Art Deco style architecture.   The Hall building received the Kitakyushu City Architectural

Culture Award in 1989. 

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Sankiro

The largest three-story wooden building used for Ryotei in Kyushu. Sankiro was built in 1928

and was the largest three-story wooden building used for Ryotei in Kyushu, and was a

representative building for the time.

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Mitsui Club

Built by the Mitsui Co., Ltd in 1921 as a reception centre and to provide accommodation for VIP’s.  

Designed by Shohei Matsuda Albert Einstein (1879-1955), one of the world’s most famous theoretical

 physicists, stayed here during his visit to Japan with his wife in 1922.

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Former Mitsui O.S.K Line Building

This is a wooden 2-storey building consisting of an octagonal observatory and vivid orange-colored

walls. It was built in 1917 as the Osaka Shosen Moji Branch Office. At that time, the observatory was

used for looking out over Moji Port, and the building was utilized as a waiting room for continental

voyages.

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Kitakyushu International Conference Center

Built in 1990, designed by Arata Isozaki

 

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Kurogane Railway

Dedicated Railway for Yawata Steel Works, Connected between Yawata and Tobata. Construction

work took three years, and completed in 1930. The most difficult and hard work was making

Miyatayama tunnel with a total length of 1180 m due to suffering from floods. The gates of the

Miyatayama tunnel are decorated with stately designs.

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Areas other than Kitakyushu-city

 

Starbucks at Approach path

The restaurant was designed by renown architecture designer Kengo Kuma in 2011. The concept

of the design is Harmony of Modern and traditional by natural material; 2000 cedar timber is

assembled in a traditional wood structure without using nails. Enjoy the luxurious time in the warmth

of wood and the scent of coffee.

 

 - Fukuoka-prefecture, Kitakyushu travel guide, Study tour to Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu tour, Study tours to Kyushu