On your left, along Sanjo Avenue, you’ll notice a building that really stands out. Built in 1890, it’s considered the oldest surviving brick commercial building in Japan, a clear reminder of the time when Kyoto was embracing Western modernity. It was originally home to a prestigious clock and watch store founded in 1871 by Yabe Tokunosuke, a name that each generation of heirs proudly kept. The red brick façade, with its wide arches and large display windows, was inspired by European shops of the late 19th century, yet behind this Western look hides a traditional Japanese wooden structure, typical of the giyōfū style, a local interpretation of Western architecture. If you step inside—today it houses a fashion boutique—you can still see a stunning wooden spiral staircase and old safes, traces of the era when fine watches and jewelry were sold here. In the past, a clock tower even rose above the roof, turning the building into a familiar landmark for Kyoto residents. Now designated as a cultural property, the Yabetoku Clock Store quietly tells the story of a Japan opening up to the world and learning, quite literally, to keep time in a new way.