Former Shimonoseki British Consulate
This building, which incorporates the Queen Anne style developed in England in the late
19th century, is the oldest existing consulate building built in 1906, and is also designated as
an important cultural property of the country.
The roof is made of tiles, which is an interesting mix of Japanese and Western styles.
The first floor is an exhibition space, and the second floor is a cafe/pub.
The consular room from the time it was used as a consulate has been recreated.
There are chairs and tables from those days, and you can actually sit on them, so try taking
a photo and feel like you’re a consular officer.
In the tablet-based exhibit in the history room called “Karato Townscape Timescope,” you
can see how the streetscape of the Karato area has changed from the time the consulate
was built to the present day.
There are also many other exhibits, including a monitor where you can see the history of the
consulate using CG, and a picture book featuring Peter Rabbit, the official character of the
former British consulate.
Former Akita Shokai Building
Akita Shokai was established in 1905 and is a general trading company that made its fortune
in the timber trading and shipping industries.
This building was built in 1915 as a company building and residence, and is designated as a
tangible cultural property of Shimonoseki City.
What is especially unique is that there is a Japanese garden and tea room on the roof.
It is said to be one of the oldest existing rooftop gardens.
Although it is currently not open to the public, you can check out the rooftop from the
pedestrian bridge near the building!
The first floor is a Western-style space that was used as an office, and is currently the
Shimonoseki Tourist Information Center.
The exterior and first floor are Western-style, but the second and third floors are
Japanese-style．
The Japanese-style room used as a residence has a stately Shoin-zukuri style.
You will be surprised to know that the large hall on the third floor is 52 tatami mats in size
when the pillars are removed. You will feel the prosperity of Akita Shokai at that time.
What’s more, even though the building was over 100 years old, it was equipped with the
latest equipment of the time, such as flush toilets and elevators (dumb waders) for
transporting food and other items.
There are many things to discover when you look at the details, such as the “Akita Shokai
company emblem” with one letter and three stars, which is the same as the Mouri family
crest, on the handrail pillar of the stairs, and the electric switch from that time left on the wall.
Shimonoseki Nanbucho Post Office
Built in 1900, it is the oldest Western-style building in Shimonoseki, and the oldest active
post office building in Japan! It is registered as a national tangible cultural property.
The retro round mailbox in front of the post office is also cute, and many people seem to
take pictures of it.
Moreover, the round mailbox was invented by an inventor from Shimonoseki! Did you know?
It was devised by Takashi Tawaraya, an inventor who created post office equipment for
Akamaseki Post Office, the predecessor of Shimonoseki Nanbu-cho Post Office, and it was
installed in post offices across the country.
On the right side as you enter the station, there are also exhibits showing the history of the
station building.
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