The History of Osaka Norin Kaikan

At the time of construction

1930
It was designed by the Maintenance Section of the Mitsubishi Joint Stock Estate Department as the Osaka branch of Mitsubishi Corporation, and constructed by Obayashi Corporation.
The Mitsubishi zaibatsu had an in-house architectural design department that was responsible for the independent development of offices in the Marunouchi area of ​​Tokyo, as well as other buildings under its umbrella.
Designed by Fujimura Akira, who later served as president of Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., Osaka Norin Kaikan shares the same characteristics as other buildings built during the same era, such as a "rational design philosophy with minimal decoration" and "large glass windows." Many drawings from that time still remain, and it can be confirmed that drawings for the building's construction began in 1928.

It still maintains its presence even after the war!

• After the war

  

  1949
  After the war, many modern buildings were requisitioned by GHQ, but fortunately the Osaka branch escaped.
  However, with the dissolution of the zaibatsu, it was decided that the building would be sold.
  At that time, retired employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries were the main participants, and Osaka Norin Kaikan Co., Ltd. was established with the aim of acquiring the land and building of the building, and the building was sold and handed over.
  The building was named Osaka Norin Kaikan.
  At the time, it housed the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Materials Coordination Office and Food Office, offices responsible for postwar food control.

• Late Showa Period

  

  Around 1972
  As the food situation stabilized after the war, the office responsible for food control that had been located there moved out and withdrew, and the building began operating as a rental property.
  Drink vending machines and postboxes were installed at the entrance, and a 24-hour supermarket and mahjong parlor were located on the first floor. The building's value as a building was not as recognized as it is today, and it was not used to its full potential.

• Late Heisei Period～Reiwa

  

  Around 2000
  Helped by the boom in popularity of Minamisenba, apparel stores, hair salons and other stylish shops gradually began to gather here. As its presence became more widely known, the area began to be utilized to take advantage of the building's original strengths.

• Nowadays

  

  October 2021
  Registered as a national tangible cultural property.
  The details of both the exterior and interior retain the atmosphere of the past, and the building has antique charm in many places, such as the hallway floors and ceilings, wooden handrails, and tasteful store signs.