National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Old Library

A Building That Bears Witness to the Early Showa Era

Old Library

This building, completed in 1930 (Showa Era Year 5), was used to store library materials until the end of the 20th century. Like the Solar Tower Telescope (the Einstein Tower), the outer walls are embellished with terracotta tiles with scratched patterns (scratch tiles). The positions of the windows and the design of the eaves are characteristic of the modern architecture of this period.

Visitors can only view the building exterior.

About

Brief history
1930
(Showa Year 5)
Completed
1961
(Showa Year 36)
The three-story mortar section was added to the west side
1972
(Showa Year 47)
Repurposed for book storage after the completion of the new library
2000
(Heisei Year 12)
Reporposed again as a warehouse after the completion of the current library
April, 2014
(Heisei Year 26)
Listed as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property