Former Hirosaki City Library

A Western-style building with a striking red dome roof, featuring octagonal twin towers on both sides, standing in Otemon Square near Hirosaki Castle. Built in 1906 to commemorate Japan’s victory in the Russo-Japanese War, it was used as the city library until 1931.

The three-story wooden building was designed and built by master carpenter Sakichi Horie, a Hirosaki native. Based on Renaissance-style Western architecture, it also incorporates Japanese design elements such as white plaster exterior walls and kibana (decorative wooden bracket ends) familiar from temple architecture, creating Horie’s signature Japanese-Western eclectic style. Another distinctive feature is the many tall windows on the walls, designed to brighten the interior with natural light. As a 대표 Meiji-era building in Hirosaki, it is also designated as an Aomori Prefectural Important Cultural Property.

Inside, the former city library layout has been recreated, and you can tour it for free. Exhibits include related historical materials from the time, as well as local publications and literary resources. Otemon Square, where the building stands, is also popular as a winter illumination spot.