Former Otsu Public Hall
I had been meaning to see this building when I came to Otsu City.
It’s the Former Otsu Public Hall.
I made a pop-up card of it back in 2013, but this is my first time seeing the actual building.
It was built in May 1934.
Designed by the Otsu City Civil Engineering Department, it is said to show influences from Frank Lloyd Wright, such as the scratch tiles and geometric pattern decorations.
The building’s front.
Currently, the second floor houses multipurpose rooms and meeting rooms, while the third floor has a hall. It operates as a facility available for citizens to use. Restaurants are open on the first floor and basement level.
Let’s take a look inside.
Next to the entrance are plaques designating it as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property and Otsu City’s first Important Landscape Building.
The Important Landscape Building designation was granted in May 2010. And it was registered as the Registered Tangible Cultural Property in January 2011.
Inside the entrance. Stairs are on both sides.
Climbing the stairs.
This is the second floor. The office (reception) and lounge are at the back on the right, while the meeting room is on the left.
Several people were present in front of the third-floor hall, so I refrained from taking photos there.
The photo was taken while descending the stairs, capturing the second floor.
Otsu Public Hall was built as a facility housing both the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the municipal library.
In 1947, at the request of the GHQ, its interior was renovated, making it the first community center in Japan. The prefectural library, previously located elsewhere, also moved here, with the second floor becoming the Central Library. The community center hosted events and educational lectures for citizens.
It was renamed the Central Community Center in 1967. After the Central Community Center relocated in 1975, the building served as the Central School District Community Center and the Otsu City Emergency Medical Clinic.
In 1985, it became the Otsu City Social Education Hall.
Front facade decoration.
In 2003, local residents requested its preservation and reuse, and discussions began in 2006.
Renovation work commenced in 2009, was completed the following year, and the facility opened on April 23rd.
The south side of the building is slightly sunken, with windows installed on the basement level too.
This is how the west side appears.
Railroad tracks run along the north side of the building, but its form can be seen from the pedestrian overpass.
The pop-up card I made previously was difficult to fold, so I plan to improve it this time.
[References] (written in Japanese)
“Street Corner Renaissance: Western Architecture Thriving in the Lake Country (Omi Culture Series 24)” (edited by Masuda Koichi / Sunbright Publishing / 1986)
“Notice Regarding Use of the Former Otsu Public Hall” (Otsu City Website / Updated 2025-12-08)