Yamate 234 Bankan

Overview

Yamate 234 Bankan is a historical building located in Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, symbolizing Yokohama's reconstruction after the Great Kanto Earthquake. The 1923 earthquake devastated Yokohama, leaving the Yamate district in ruins. While many foreigners left, the city worked to attract them back by building apartment complexes for them in Yamate and Negishi. Yamate 234 Bankan is one such building. Completed in 1927, it's a two-story wooden structure with a symmetrical layout centered around a central entrance. Its hipped roof, covered in cement tiles, gives it a beautiful, classic Western appearance. The interior recreates the rooms as they were, offering a glimpse into life at that time. The first floor features a furnished living and dining room, allowing visitors to imagine daily life then. A scale model of the building as it was originally constructed is also displayed on the first floor, providing detailed insight into its design and structure. The second floor is used as a rental space for exhibitions and other events. Yamate 234 Bankan is considered one of the finest works of architect Yoshizo Asaka. Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1889, Asaka worked at Asano Shipyard and Yokohama Dockyard before establishing his architectural firm in 1923. He is believed to have been involved in numerous post-earthquake reconstruction projects, though only Yamate 234 Bankan and Enoki-tei are definitively known. Yamate 234 Bankan is designated as a historically important building by the city of Yokohama. When visiting, consider also seeing the adjacent Enoki-tei and the "Diplomat's House," another Yokohama-designated historical building. These Western-style buildings are integral to Yamate's beautiful streetscape and are precious legacies that tell the story of Yokohama's history and culture. Experience a piece of Yokohama's past and its resilience by visiting Yamate 234 Bankan.