Aoyama Building (National Treasure)

The Aoyama Building (a Registered Tangible Cultural Property) is known for its ivy-covered exterior, with ivy originally received from Koshien Stadium. It was built in 1921 as the private residence of businessman Genjirō Noda, and from 1947 onward the Aoyama family came to own it as a building. In 1997 it was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property. The exterior is a Spanish-style reinforced-concrete structure and looks like a typical building, but inside it has many small rooms, giving you the feeling of visiting someone’s home. Highlights include romantic Taishō-era Italian stained glass and twisted metalwork on the stair railings. When touring or taking photos, you need to get permission at the office, but you can view the interior when visiting tenants such as the Chinese restaurant or galleries. Next door stands the Fushimi Building, also a Registered Tangible Cultural Property—so you might consider visiting the shops inside it as well.