You’re standing in front of the SACRA Building, an elegant brick structure completed in 1916. It was originally built as a branch of the Fudo Chokin Bank, a savings institution that played a role in supporting Japan’s economic growth in the early 20th century. Take a moment to look at the façade: the horizontal bands, the molded decorative details, and the large circular rosette at the center all reflect strong European influence, typical of the Taishō era, when Western design was reshaping cityscapes across Japan. Behind the brick exterior, the building combines wooden and metal framing, a construction method common at the time that combined local techniques with new Western engineering ideas. Renovated in 1988 and designated a Tangible Cultural Property in 1997, the SACRA Building has kept much of its original character. Today, instead of bank counters, you’ll find boutiques and offices inside, including a craft showroom on the ground floor, giving this historic space a new role while preserving its early 20th-century charm.