SAPPORO a building whose exterior contrast of white and blue stands out in the early summer remains a stately feature of Nakajima Park in this northern Japan city of Chuo Ward, with its reflection visible in a pond at the park.
The Hokkaido Development Commission built the building as a Western-style hotel in 1880, and is now designated as a national important cultural property.
The design of the wooden two-storied structure is strongly influenced by the U.S. architectural style, its front entrance pillars and balcony are European in design. Traditional Japanese techniques are also used in the roof and in the ceilings. The window frames and eaves are painted bright blue, and a five-pointed red star used for the development commission flag adorns the roof.
Hoheikan was built north of the present-day Sapporo TV tower, but the municipal government moved it to its current location in 1958. The hall has been loved by people and served as a wedding venue for some 20,000 couples until fiscal 2011.
It underwent quake-resistance work, re-painting of its exterior walls and renovation to change the room layout to the original design, which took four years from 2012 to complete. It is now open to the public between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, except for the second Tuesday of each month.
This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of the past.