A historical building, the Akarengakan was established in 1911 as the head office of the Bank of Morioka, and later served as the head office of the Bank of Iwate for many years.
Designed by Kingo Tatsuno and Manji Kasai, the same architects who designed Tokyo Station, it is known as the only Tatsuno work in the Tohoku region.
In 1994, it became the first active bank building to be designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and is a bank building that combines history and beauty.
Charming Architecture Reborn
The building was used as a bank until 2012, then opened to the public in 2016 after 3.5 years of conservation and repair work.
The building has a multipurpose hall, library/lounge, and exhibits that tell the history of Morioka’s industry and commerce.
The building, steeped in more than 100 years of history, has been reborn as a multipurpose hall and a facility that exhibits patterns of the building’s interior from the time of its founding.
Strict Renaissance-style architecture
The building’s distinctive two-story exterior is rich in three-dimensionality, with a tower topped by a green dome and a projecting gable roof.
The red brick is beautifully blended with granite shingles.
The building is constructed of approximately 910,000 bricks from Iwate Prefecture and interior materials of Aomori Hiba (Aomori Hiba).
Experience the charm of Iwate and Morioka at their respective banking zones.
The interior of the Iwate Bank Red Brick Pavilion is divided into two areas: the Iwate Bank Zone and the Morioka Bank Zone.
The Iwate Bank Zone includes a multi-purpose hall and a library/lounge that introduces the industrial and commercial history of Morioka.
On the other hand, in the Morioka Bank Zone, the vault and reception room that have been in use since the bank’s opening are open to the public. In addition, there is a theater where visitors can enjoy a video presentation of the financial history of Iwate Prefecture and the history and structure of the building.
The Iwate Bank Red Brick Hall is a beautiful building built with history. Inside the building, visitors can feel the brilliance of the past along with a wealth of information. For visitors, this building will become a new and fascinating place to visit.
10:00-17:00
Every Tuesday
Year-end and New Year holidays (12/29 - 1/3)
Bank of Morioka Zone
Adults 300 yen
Elementary and junior high school students 100 yen
Free for preschool children
Iwate Bank Zone
Free of charge
From Morioka Station on the JR/IGR Iwate Ginga Tetsudo Railway, take the bus bound for Morioka Bus Center, get off at Morioka Bus Center (10 min. by bus), and walk 1 min.