Historic lodging house "Hongokan" to be demolished in August
Built in 1905, Hongokan is Japan's oldest 3-storey wooden lodging house. The L-shaped building has approximately 70 rooms and a total floorspace of 1500 sqm which is very large in scale for a wooden structure.
It was built by an aristocratic family from Gifu Prefecture and was initially used as a boarding house for the Tokyo Girl's Highschool (now known as Ochanomizu Women's College), but soon became a high-grade lodging house that provided luxury accommodation.Read more
Traditional Japanese Shophouse in Tokyo for Sale
SOLD
This 2-storey shophouse in Koenji, Tokyo, was built over 75 years ago by a “Miya-daiku” master carpenter (Miya-daiku are specialist craftsmen who design shrines and temples). Read more
[Foreclosed] Historic Hotel in Hakodate
Court Evaluated Price: 39,600,000 Yen (483,000 USD)
*Update: The winning bid was 43,695,000 Yen*
A historically listed hotel in Hokkaido’s Hakodate City is up for public auction.
“Auberge Kokian” was built in 1909 in the Wayo-Secchu style of architecture (a blend of Japanese and Western) and constructed from Japanese cypress. It was originally a seafood store called Watanabe Shoten. It was in operation as a restaurant and inn until the end of 2009.Read more
Nakatsu Castle finally sold
The privately owned Nakatsu Castle in Oita Prefecture finally sold in late 2010 after 3 years on the market.Read more
JVC Kenwood to tear down Japan's first Victor factory
The Victor Company of Japan (part of JVC Holdings) has applied to Yokohama City for approval to demolish the first Victor factory in Japan. The "Victor Company of Japan No. 1 Factory Facade" was completed in 1930.Read more
Cattle Quarantine Station Office scheduled for demolition
A decision has been made to demolish the former Ministry of Agriculture's livestock quarantine office in Tsuruga Bay, Fukui Prefecture.
Dating from 1916 (Taisho period), the western-style building has fallen into severe disrepair. After part of the ceiling collapsed last month, the owners have applied to the Prefecture to have the building demolished.Read more
Asaya Department Store demolition to start later this month
The Asaya Department store in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, is scheduled to be demolished with work expected to begin by the end of this year. The city purchased the site from the former owner and have plans for redevelopment.
The 3-storey art deco building was constructed by Yasuzo Kida and completed in 1934. The store was opened by the former owner's great grandfather and was the first department store in Gunma Prefecture. After the war it apparently had a ferris wheel on the rooftop.Read more