Maruhachi Hyakkaten, Historical department store in Kutsuki, Japan
Maruhachi Hyakkaten is a three-story wooden building with a distinctive zigzag pattern that wraps around the upper floors and features slate roofing with decorative parapets. The structure displays architectural details typical of early 20th century Japanese commercial design.
The building was first constructed in 1933 and expanded with an additional floor in 1943. It gained official recognition as a cultural property in the late 1990s.
The store functions today as a retail space and cafe serving dishes and goods tied to local customs and regional traditions.
The building is accessible during business hours and is located in a traditional shopping area within easy walking distance of the town center. The location is straightforward to find with parking available nearby and other local shops in the surrounding area.
The zigzag pattern on the exterior was a deliberate design choice that served both visual and practical purposes for the building's appearance. This pattern remains one of the building's most recognizable features and distinguishes it from other commercial structures of the same period.
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