Kitahama Retro Building

Kitahama Retro Building is a historic building in Chuo Ward, Osaka City, designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 1997. Influenced by the Glasgow School in the UK, it was constructed in 1912 and originally served as a merchant office for stockbroking. After World War II, it was used as the headquarters building of KATSURARYU Sangyo, a specialized construction-materials trading company. The building later became vacant, but in 1997 the current owner renovated it into an authentically British-style architecture reminiscent of the Meiji era. The structure is two stories above ground with one basement level, built in brick; the front openings are framed with dressed granite, and the entrance area is characterized by a deformed arch supported by four pilaster-like columns. The interior uses materials imported from abroad, with white walls, emerald-green columns and window frames, and wooden flooring, and British furnishings appear throughout. The 1st floor operates as a British-style cake and tea-goods shop, while the 2nd floor is a tea specialty shop called “Kitahama Retro,” popular among tea lovers for its authentic British-style afternoon tea service.