Former Hirosaki City Library, Renaissance library building in Shimoshirogane-chō, Japan.

The Former Hirosaki City Library is a three-story wooden structure with two distinctive octagonal towers that merge Renaissance design with Japanese craftsmanship. The building displays how Western architectural styles were reinterpreted by local builders using traditional construction methods.

Built in 1906 with funds from five local benefactors, including builder Horie Sakichi and businessman Saitō Kei, it was formally named the Hirosaki City Library Commemorating the Russo-Japanese Victory. It stood on the Tōō Gijuku school grounds until the library moved out in 1930; the following year Horie's family bought it and re-erected it in Tomino-chō. The city repurchased it in 1989 and returned it to the former school site.

The library's official name at opening was "Nichi-Ro Senshō Kinen Hirosaki Shiritsu Toshokan" (Russo-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hirosaki City Library). It was built with donations from five local benefactors, including builder Horie Sakichi and businessman Saitō Shū, who profited from construction and supply contracts tied to the new 8th Division garrison and the war. Since 1989 it has housed the city's local literature museum, displaying regional publications and literary materials.

The building stands inside Otemon Square in Shimoshirogane-chō, about 15 minutes by bus from Hirosaki Station, getting off at City Hall. It is preserved as the city's folk literature museum, displaying local publications and literary materials. Look for the octagonal twin towers at both ends of the facade.

The building's official name at completion was "Nichi-Ro Senshō Kinen Hirosaki Shiritsu Toshokan" (Russo-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hirosaki City Library). Five local benefactors funded it, and when the final structure reached about four times the planned scale, designer-builder Horie Sakichi and promoter Saitō Shū bore the extra cost themselves.