Chartered Building

The Chartered Building is a bank structure on Kaigandōri Street featuring a stone facade and geometric line work. The design merges Western banking architecture with traditional Japanese elements into a single unified composition.

The structure was built in 1938 to serve as office space for international trading firms and later converted to a branch office of a major Hong Kong bank. This shift reflects how the city was developing as an international financial center during that era.

The building reflects how Japanese and Western design approaches merged during the period of rapid modernization. Visitors can observe this blend in the stone surfaces and geometric patterns that define its appearance.

The structure sits near Bashamichi Station and is convenient to reach by public transport. It maintains its original banking purpose, so visitors can explore spaces that continue to serve their historical function.

The structure participates in an urban development plan that integrates historical buildings with modern commercial spaces. This newer initiative shows how older structures are being woven into the city's contemporary growth.

Location: Kaigandōri

Inception: 1938

Architects: Jay Hill Morgan

GPS coordinates: 34.68639,135.19278

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59