Exploring Yokohama’s Red Brick Heritage: A Journey through History, Culture, and Architecture
Yokohama Red Brick is a group of historical buildings in the Yamait district of Nakaku Yokohama this district is known as a valuable cultural heritage that preserves the original landscape of Yokohama which opened its port in 1859 the history of red bricks dates back to shortly after the opening of the port of Yokohama
At that time many residential and commercial buildings for Westerners were constructed in the foreign settlement area and most of them were brick buildings this was due to the fact that bricks were resistant to fire and were the mainstay of western architecture at the time Yemenote 111 known by the name Red Brick
Is a three story house built in 1913 and is a typical red brick building the exterior is characterized by typical red brick and white sashes and the interior retains its original structure with arched ceilings currently the building is open to the public and visitors can tour the interior
Yummate 234 and 181 are other red brick buildings that should not be missed Yummate 234 is a western style house built in the 1910s with a contrasting red brick and white sashes while 181 is a two story house built in 1913 with eye catching arched windows and a tower house
Many of the red brick buildings are regarded as important cultural assets that convey the lifestyle and architectural style of the settlement at that time the area is also one of the few places where visitors can experience the atmosphere of Yokohama when the port was first opened to foreign trade
Making it a popular tourist spot the brick walls and alleys are also elements that give the red brick district its unique atmosphere gamakukayakasho and Shinkocho Naka Ward is a famous place where brick paved alleys remain walking along these alleys one can recall the atmosphere of Yokohama in those days
The preservation of red brick buildings has been steadily progressing and in 2,009 the beautiful red brick former Yokohama Raw Silk Inspection Centre was designated a National Important Cultural Property the building was constructed in 1913 and was used for the inspection of raw silk at that time the distinctive red
Brick exterior with its row of windows is highly valued as an industrial heritage the former Yokohama Basha Railway Shogun Echo Station building also became a registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 2018 built in 1912 the station building is popular for its retro appearance of red bricks and white sashes today
Part of the facility is open to the public and also houses a restaurant the red brick district is dotted with not only historical buildings but also many unique stores such as cafes and general merchandise stores some old brick buildings are being used as stores while others have been newly renovated with a brick
Exterior breathing new life into the area while retaining the red brick atmosphere for example shakies located next to Yummate 111 is based on the concept of a western style restaurant from the 1920s the antique interior and red brick exterior are attractive and the nostalgic atmosphere is popular
Tolly’s Coffee Yummate 234 is also a cafe that as the name suggests was renovated from the western style building of Yummate 234 the white windows and arched ceilings that remain in the store give a sense of the past while the modern furniture and furnishings create a relaxed atmosphere in this way
The red brick district where historical buildings and new stores coexist offers a unique view of the brick exterior and modern interior the main attraction of this area is that you can enjoy a modern space while immersing yourself in the feeling of the settlement era red brick buildings can also be found
Outside of the Yamanote district The Yokohama Port Opening Museum former Yokohama Municipal Aki Elementary School building a red brick school building built in 1865 is a highlight the brick exterior walls and arched window frames make it a valuable building that retains the architectural style of the time
In addition to the former Yokohama Raw Silk Inspection Station the sekigai area is also home to the red brick warehouse of Yokohama Usan Co this warehouse was built in 1919 and the brickwork on the exterior walls conveys the appearance of the time today part of the warehouse is used as a restaurant
And is open to the public remnants of red brick architecture can be found throughout Yokohama the fact that these buildings still retain their original appearance more than 160 years after the opening of the port is a major attraction on the other hand preservation of the red brick buildings has always been a challenge
In many cases it is difficult to preserve the entire building due to conflicts with development however efforts to preserve and utilize even a portion of the form and materials to protect and convey the historical townscape of Yokohama are being emphasized in fact the development of Red Brick Park
Which retains a strong trace of the time when the port of Yokohama was open to foreign trade is underway plans are underway to preserve and utilize the former Yokohama Raw Silk Inspection Station and other red brick buildings in the surrounding area in an integrated manner in the future
It is hoped that the park will become a new tourist center where visitors can experience the history of the opening of the port various efforts are underway to promote the preservation and utilization of the red brick buildings for example the Yokohama Port Opening Museum is opening to the public
Aportion of the school building that was used as an elementary school at the time visitors can see classrooms with arched windows and brick corridors the museum also exhibits related materials allowing visitors to experience what Yokohama was like during the port opening period in addition the Yamate District has been designated as the Yokohama
Yamate West Wing and Train Row Preservation District in this district western style houses and brick alleys including building 111 still remain with the aim of preserving the streetscape of those days while there are still residents today the landscape town planning continues on the other hand some buildings are being
Utilized in new ways by changing their uses for example the former Yokohama Usin red brick warehouse has now been reborn as a shopping mall the interior is a renovated modern space but the red bricks on the exterior remain creating a landscape that evokes the history of the opening of the port
The preservation of the red brick architecture is not only a matter of landscape but also of protecting the historical identity of the area this is because the red brick buildings are deeply imbued with the multilayered history of Yokohama including the inheritance of culture since the opening of the port
And the fusion of Yokohama with western culture in fact there is a citizens group that is campaigning for the preservation of the museum The Yokohama Port Opening Museum Friendship Association has been making efforts to preserve and utilize the building which was part of an elementary school at the time of the port opening
Volunteer citizens raised funds to restore the interior of the building these community based activities have LED to the preservation of valuable cultural heritage in recent years activities such as repairing the brick walls and cleaning up the red brick spots mainly by young people have been spreading and the large
Number of participants in the activities called for on SNS shows the high level of interest in the proud cultural heritage of the community the purpose of Yokohama Red Brick is not only to preserve old buildings it is important to both pass on the culture of the port’s opening
Period and develop it into a new era in fact not only are historical buildings being preserved but they are also being utilized in new ways for example Hakijamaci Paradise opened a new facility called Brick Park in 2022 it will feature pavilions towers and amusement facilities made of real red bricks
Which will be decorated with beautiful illuminations at night the brick atmosphere and state of the art entertainment space combined to create a unique experience there are also examples of new hotels and restaurants that have incorporated the red brick appearance the brick exterior of these hotels and restaurants
Is a reminder of the history of the ports opening to the outside world in this way the charm of Red Bricks is being conveyed in a way that matches the new era while inheriting the uniqueness of Yokohama more than just an architectural style red bricks are a symbol of Yokohama’s cultural identity
They are a testament to the meeting and fusion of western culture and Japanese traditions brought to Yokohama when the port was opened to the outside world the brick material itself is a part of western culture that has taken route in Japan over the years however it was adapted to the Japanese
Climate and created its own unique appearance the red brick buildings are a testament to the history of the encounter and acceptance of different cultures going forward the role of the low bricks as the core of Yokohama’s urban landscape will continue to be significant at the same time however it is important
To reinterpret and inherit its charm in a manner appropriate to the new era maintaining a balance between tradition and innovation while continuing to transmit the individuality of the port city should be the source of Yokohama’s urban brand power thus Yokohama’s red bricks are a valuable surviving legacy that conveys the history of the
Opening of the port to the present the landscape which retains a strong influence of the western culture of the time creates an atmosphere that is uniquely Yokohama it is hoped that they will continue to be preserved and utilized and that they will be passed on to future
Generations as an attractive feature of Yokohama