Introducing Morioka’s Retro Tourist Spot – the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building and Nearby Attractions

The Iwate Bank Red Brick Building is a structure built during the Meiji era, notable for its red brick exterior, as its name implies. Once functioning as a bank, the building’s retro interior is as impressive as its exterior. When visiting Morioka, be sure to tour the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building along with the surrounding sightseeing spots we introduce here.

History of the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building

The Iwate Bank Red Brick Building was constructed in 1911 as the head office of Morioka Bank. In 1936, it was transferred as the head office of Iwate Bank (then known as Iwate Chosankin Bank), and until 1958 it was painted white and even called the “White Meiji Building.”

In 1983, it became the Nakamihashi Branch of Iwate Bank, and after ceasing operations in 2012, conservation and restoration work was carried out. In 2016, it reopened to the public as the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building.

In 1994, it was designated as an Important Cultural Property (Building) by the national government, and its official name is “Important Cultural Property ‘Former Head Office Main Building of Iwate Bank (formerly Morioka Bank)’.”

The Iwate Bank Zone

The Iwate Bank Zone within the Red Brick Building is open to the public free of charge.

Multipurpose Hall (Large)

This space once served as the office and business area during its banking days. Today, it is available by reservation on a group basis for cultural exchanges, concerts, and other events.

Entrance Hall

The bright space immediately inside the entrance. In the past, the areas now occupied by the cash counter, sales department, and savings department were located here.

Library & Lounge

Originally divided into three rooms at the time of construction, these were later used during the Nakamihashi Branch era as the “Red Brick Gallery” for exhibitions. This corner displays items and footage related to the Nakamihashi area.

Multipurpose Hall (Small)

Located on the second floor, this hall was originally used as a general meeting room and later for conferences. It still serves as a space available for meetings.

The Morioka Bank Zone

The Morioka Bank Zone of the Red Brick Building is a paid exhibition area.

Former National Treasury Customer Waiting Room

This area once housed the treasury service counter (comparable to that of a Bank of Japan agent) and later functioned as the loan department counter during the Nakamihashi era.

Tatsuno Kingo and Kasai Manji (Former Second Reception Room)

The former second reception room is now a space introducing the architects Tatsuno Kingo and Kasai Manji, who designed the building. Their design office is also famous for the design of Tokyo Station.

Iwate Bank Red Brick Guidance (Former Executive Room)

This former executive room now serves as a video presentation area introducing the history of the Red Brick Building.

Former Branch Manager’s Room

This room once served as the office of the branch manager (equivalent to today’s head office manager) and is connected to the former treasury entrance.

Former Treasury Room

Used as a vault until the bank ceased operations in 2012, visitors can now view the massive, heavy vault that was once in active use.

Iwate’s Financial History 1 (Former First Reception Room)

This room, formerly the first reception room, now forms part one of an exhibit on the financial history of Iwate.

Iwate’s Financial History 2 (Former Branch Manager Room)

The former branch manager’s room now serves as the second part of the exhibit on Iwate’s financial history.

Virtual Theater

This area uses video to present the history of the red bricks and Iwate Bank in an immersive virtual reality reproduction of the building.

Morioka Takuboku & Kenji Seishunkan

Located near the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building is the Morioka Takuboku & Kenji Seishunkan, another attraction housed in a former bank building. Constructed in 1910 as the main building of the 90th Bank, it was opened as the Morioka Takuboku & Kenji Seishunkan in 2002 and designated as an Important Cultural Property by the national government in 2004.

Takuboku Ishikawa and Kenji Miyazawa, despite a ten-year age difference, both spent about ten years of their youth in Morioka.

The first-floor permanent exhibition room was once used as a business office. Here, you can view valuable items such as first-edition books, handwritten letters by Takuboku and Miyazawa, and more.

Other facilities include the “Subaru” light and sound experience room, an audiovisual experience room, a streetscape exhibit called “Mollyo,” a café named “Akogare” where you can have freshly ground and brewed coffee from beans ordered on site, and a museum shop.

The spacious exhibition hall on the second floor was once the general meeting room.

The opening hours are from 10:00 to 18:00, the facility is closed on the second Tuesday of each month and from December 29 to January 3, and admission is free.

Morioka Tegami-kan

Another must-visit facility after touring the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building is the Morioka Tegami-kan.

Located on the sixth floor of the “Plaza Odette” complex, which was built along the Nakatsugawa River where the Morioka Post Office once stood until 1984, it houses over 45,000 archival materials. These include letters and manuscripts collected by Yoshida Kohyo, a researcher of Takuboku Ishikawa, as well as correspondence and autographed manuscripts from other renowned authors.

Regular special exhibitions change every three to four months, and lectures and workshops are often held in the exhibition rooms.

Permanent exhibits display letters by Kyosuke Kindaichi and Kenji Miyazawa, as well as original manuscripts by Kotaro Takamura.

◎ Summary

The Iwate Bank Red Brick Building is located just a 2‑minute walk from Morioka Castle Ruins Park. With its beautiful contrast of red bricks and granite, it’s a spot that naturally invites you to take photographs. The rich interior and engaging exhibits make it a delightful experience, especially when combined with the other nearby attractions.

*The information provided is current as of February 11, 2020.