Retro Japan: Former JR Nara Station building resembles a pagoda

NARA — The former JR Nara Station building in this ancient Japanese capital looks like a Buddhist pagoda, while also showcasing Western influence.

The square roof has a “sorin” finial consisting of a shaft and nine rings around it, among other ornaments, emphasizing its Japanese design. At the same time, the building also gives a Western feeling, such as textured tiles on the walls and vertical sliding windows. In the interior, the roof is supported by thick, white, Western-style columns. The pillars and beams are decorated with arabesque patterns, which were often used in architecture from the Asuka period (from the late sixth century to seventh century) to the Nara period (around 710-784), showing the harmony of Japanese and Western styles.

The building was constructed in 1934 as the second-generation Nara Station of the then Japanese National Railways. It was designed by the then chief engineer of the Osaka railway management bureau’s engineering division, among others. The design proposal had originally been submitted for a prize in another project but was not selected, then it was reused for Nara Station.

The building had been part of the city as the gateway to Nara for about 70 years, but its role as a train station ended in 2003 when an elevated one came into use. The original plan was to demolish the old site, but local residents voiced their desire to have it preserved, so it was relocated approximately 18 meters to the northeast. In 2009, the building was turned into the Nara City Tourist Information Center. It continues to welcome tourists from Japan and abroad.

(Japanese original by Takeshi Nishimura, Osaka Photo and Video Department)

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The Japanese version of this article was originally published on May 12, 2024.

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This series explores Japan’s architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.