Bunshōkan

Bunshōkan is a museum and former government office in Yamagata, featuring a three-story structure with granite walls and dark slate roofing. A clock tower rises prominently above the building's center, becoming a recognizable landmark in the city.

The building was completed in 1916, replacing an earlier structure destroyed in a major fire in 1911. It functioned as the prefectural government headquarters until 1975, when it transitioned to its current role.

The renovated building contains numerous exhibitions focusing on the Meiji era in Yamagata, including collections from local artists and historical artifacts point.

The museum is open daily to visitors and guided tours through its interior spaces are available. The building is easy to access and its main rooms are arranged for comfortable movement through the exhibits.

The tower clock is still maintained manually through weight adjustments performed every five days, representing one of the oldest working mechanisms of this kind in the country. This traditional upkeep method demonstrates a remarkable continuity in timekeeping across more than a century.

Location: Yamagata

Inception: June 1916

Official opening: October 1, 1995

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-16:30

Website: https://gakushubunka.jp/bunsyokan

GPS coordinates: 38.25657,140.34119

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:47