It was built in 1911 as the head office of the Bank of Morioka, designed by Kingo Tatsuno and Manji Kasai Architects. It is the only remaining architectural work in the Tohoku region designed by Kingo Tatsuno, and is also famous for designing Tokyo Station. The red brick with white granite shingles and a dome on the roof gives the building a Tatsuno-like appearance. The Renaissance-style building is a National Important Cultural Property.
After 25 years as the Morioka Bank head office, the Morioka Bank went bankrupt, and the Iwate Shokusan Bank purchased the building and became the head office of the Iwate Bank. Later, Iwate Bank (Iwate Shokusan Bank changed its name to Iwate Bank Nakanobashi Branch) moved into the newly built head office.
In 1994 (Heisei 6), it became the first active bank to be designated as a National Important Cultural Property. About 100 years after the Bank of Morioka's head office opened, the bank completed its role as a bank and reopened in 2016 (Heisei 28) as a public facility, the Iwate Bank Red Brick Hall. In 2018, the number of visitors reached 100,000.
The interior of the facility is divided into three zones: the Iwate Bank zone (free of charge), the Morioka Bank zone (charged), and the entrance hall, reception room, and vault where the old architectural style has been restored. Visitors can feel the vestiges of the Meiji era, such as the chandelier and the decorative columns in the upper part of the multipurpose hall (large), which can be viewed free of charge.
Highlights
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Architect Manji Kasai was the first person to establish an architectural design office in Japan together with Kingo Tatsuno.
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The exterior of the building as well as the interior can be photographed, except in areas where photography is prohibited.
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The Iwate Bank Akarengakukan is a short walk from the Morioka Takuboku/Kenji Seishunkan (Museum of Takuboku and Kenji's Youth), a National Important Cultural Property.
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The history of the Iwate Bank Akarengakkan can be viewed on a video.
