Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch, Banking heritage building in Fukuromachi, Japan.
The Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch is a three-story structure featuring Renaissance architectural details including four Ionic columns and symmetrical windows across its stone-paste-covered concrete facade. Its interior contains an atrium, conference rooms, a basement vault, and an elevated entrance designed to protect against flooding in central Hiroshima.
The building was constructed in 1936 and withstood the atomic blast from 380 meters away from ground zero. It resumed operations within 48 hours after August 6, 1945, becoming a symbol of the city's resilience during recovery.
The bank manager authorized withdrawals without identification documents after the bombing, reflecting the trust that bound the Hiroshima community together. This spontaneous decision shows how people supported each other through crisis.
The location sits centrally in Hiroshima near other museums and sites, making it easy to include in a day of exploration. The elevated setting offers good orientation and access is straightforward for visitors with various mobility levels.
After the bombing, the bank manager temporarily housed eleven different financial institutions from the same building, enabling citizens to access banking services immediately after the disaster. This was a practical solution to meet the city's financial needs during the immediate recovery phase.
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