VOL.200 FEBRUARY 2025
HISTORIC JAPANESE PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE OF THE MODERN ERA A Rare Stone Building Representing the Progress of Architectural Modernization in Japan

• Sharing on X
• Sharing on Facebook
• Sharing on LINE

The entrance to Sapporo Shiryokan.

The building that currently serves as the Sapporo Shiryokan (an archival facility. Hereafter referred to as the “shiryokan”) was built in 1926 as the Former Sapporo Court of Appeals¹. This building holds significant value as a tangible representation of Japan’s architectural modernization. We interviewed a shiryokan staff member to explore its unique features.

Sapporo is the central city of Hokkaido, located in the northernmost part of Japan. At the western end of Odori Park, situated in the heart of Sapporo, stands Sapporo Shiryokan. This building was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2020. KAWAMATA Yukino, a staff member of the shiryokan, shared insights into its distinctive features.

“The exterior walls are made of Sapporo soft stone (‘nanseki’)², a material known for its light weight, ease of processing, and excellent thermal insulation properties. It was primarily used for decorative purposes on the exterior. Sapporo Shiryokan is the largest existing building made from Sapporo soft stone, making it a valuable structure. The most remarkable feature of the building is its front façade. The symmetrical design follows the Renaissance style³, with modest decorations and a heavy stone exterior, combined with uniformly vertical windows. The emphasis on proportion and symmetry gives an elegant and grand impression. The arched roof of the driveway entrance features an engraving of the inscription ‘Sapporo Court of Appeals’ along with an image of the Goddess of Justice. Another noteworthy feature is the window design, suited for cold climates, featuring a double window structure with outward-opening hinged windows on the exterior and double hung windows on the interior. Additionally, the central staircase’s bay windows inside the building features stained glass, a popular style at the time.”

This shiryokan, with its design and structure, has been praised for tangibly representing the era of Japan’s modernization, and was designated as an Important Cultural Property in 2020.

In addition, the shiryokan features an exhibit that recreates a 19th-century criminal courtroom, offering a glimpse into the trial process of the time. “This criminal courtroom exhibit is also used for mock trial experiences, engaging citizens and students alike,” says KAWAMATA.

Many citizens visit the shiryokan to learn about both the history and architecture of the 19th-century Sapporo court. “The design of the building reflects its role as a courthouse of the time, and it also shows the progress of architectural modernization. This makes the shiryokan highly valuable. From its design, one can see that the Japanese government of the time intended to symbolize publicness and authority through Western-style architecture. It is a precious building that should be preserved for generations to come. If you visit Sapporo City, be sure to stop by.”

• 1.The court that was in operation from 1886 to 1947. It was changed to a High Court following the judicial system reform in 1947.
• 2.A type of stone formed from volcanic ash deposited in the Sapporo Ishiyama area, about 20 km away, following the eruption of Mount Shikotsu 40,000 years ago. The stone is light and easy to process, which made it a popular building material from the 19th century to the early 20th century.
• 3.An architectural and artistic style that spread across Europe, particularly Italy, from the 15th to early 17th centuries (with various theories surrounding it). It emphasized symmetry and harmony in design.

By TANAKA Nozomi
Photo: Sapporo Shiryokan; PIXTA

• Sharing on X
• Sharing on Facebook
• Sharing on LINE