Nagoya City Hall, Government building in central Nagoya, Japan.
Nagoya City Hall is a five-story administrative building in central Nagoya that still serves as the seat of city government. The interiors include wide marble staircases, spacious hallways, and several ceremonial rooms with high ceilings and traditional ornamentation.
The city hall was erected in 1933 as part of Emperor Showa's coronation celebrations and replaced an older wooden structure. During World War II, workers covered the exterior walls with coal tar to protect the structure from bombing raids, and it survived the destruction of the city nearly intact.
The design approach became popular during the early Showa era and merges Japanese roofs with Western materials like concrete and steel. Many Japanese government buildings from this period follow the same design approach, creating a distinct architectural language.
Municipal offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:45 AM to 5:15 PM, except on national holidays and during New Year periods. Visitors can explore the ground floor and public areas, while upper floors are reserved for work areas.
The building frequently appears as a filming location in Japanese television dramas and films, with the marble entrance hall particularly sought after. The ceremonial rooms are occasionally used for official receptions and public events where visitors can see the historic spaces.
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