Bank of Japan Head Office, Financial institution in Nihonbashi district, Tokyo, Japan.
The Bank of Japan Head Office is a granite-faced building featuring baroque revival elements and a prominent dome topped with bronze lion sculptures. The layout combines European banking architecture with Japanese design features in a balanced composition.
Architect Tatsuno Kingo designed this building after years of studying banking structures across Europe, completing it in 1896. Its completion marked a turning point in Japanese architecture during the nation's modern transformation.
The building represents Japan's shift toward modern architecture, showing how Western styles became part of the cityscape during the late Meiji period. Visitors can observe how European and Japanese design elements coexist throughout the structure.
The building is near Mitsukoshimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line and is accessible through multiple entrances. Visitors should note that photo identification is required and access is subject to controlled conditions.
The entrance gate features two lion sculptures holding the bank emblem while standing on traditional coin boxes, a rare blend of Western and Eastern symbolism. This detail reveals how the architect intentionally wove both artistic traditions together.
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