🗺️ Akita City Red Brick Folk Museum

The Akita City Red Brick Folk Museum is a museum converted from the old Akita Bank main branch, completed in 1912. The exterior is primarily made of red bricks, accented with white tiles and Onikobe stone in a Renaissance style, showcasing a combination of strength and beauty. The exterior was designed by engineer Naoaki Yamaguchi and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The core of the building is the business hall, which served as the reception area for the bank's operations. The spacious, high-ceilinged area is exquisitely designed, creating an illusion as if one has stepped into an old movie set. The Baroque-style decorations and extensive use of marble create a magnificent atmosphere in the hall. Additionally, the interior includes the president's office, a library, a sturdy vault room separated by steel doors, and a luxurious decorated VIP room, all of which are open for visitors to glimpse the bank's former grandeur. In addition to the exhibitions related to Akita set up in the new building, there are also the "Katsuhei Toku Memorial Hall" dedicated to woodblock print artists and the "Sekiya Shirou Memorial Hall" dedicated to metal craftsmen.

Formerly the main branch of Akita Bank. A nationally important cultural asset built during the Meiji era. The interior is classically elegant, preserving the European style that was characteristic of banks at that time.