Shinkō Building, Historic office building in Kaigandōri, Japan.
The Shinkō Building is an office structure in Kaigandōri, Kobe, showing early 20th-century commercial construction methods used across Japan. The structure spans several stories with solid walls and steel framing designed to house offices and business operations.
The building was completed in 1939 during a period of rapid industrial growth in pre-war Kobe. It served as a central business facility that supported the city's expanding economy at that time.
The building shows how Japanese architects blended Western office designs with local building traditions at the time. Inside and outside, you can see practical work spaces combined with craft details that were common during that era.
The location on Kaigandōri makes it easy to reach, with several public transit options nearby. Plan a visit during business hours when most of the building is active and the area feels open to exploration.
The original structure from 1939 has remained largely unchanged for decades, showing how durable Japanese construction techniques were built to last. This durability allowed it to survive the urban changes that transformed the city around it.
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