City Hall

The imposing building on your left is Kyoto City Hall. Even from a distance, the 33-meter central tower catches your eye, rising above the street as a clear landmark, and the neo-Baroque façade gives the whole structure a strong Western presence. As you get closer, though, you’ll notice something more subtle: while the overall design feels European, many of the decorative details draw inspiration from across Asia. The architect, Takeda Goichi, a key figure in modern Japanese architecture, chose to replace traditional European ornaments with motifs inspired by Japan, China, India, and even the Islamic world. At the main entrance, the softly curved, bulb-shaped arches hint at Eastern architecture, and inside, the ceilings and sculpted stucco incorporate Western elegance with more exotic touches. After a major renovation completed in 2021, the building was strengthened against earthquakes using a discreet reinforcement system installed beneath its foundations, carefully preserving its historic appearance. Since 2025, it has been listed as a Registered Cultural Property, and on weekdays you’re free to step into the ground-floor hall to take a closer look at its refined decorative details.