The Sempukan is a historic building in Osaka

Osaka

is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...

, Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

. It used to function as a guest house for the Japanese Mint Bureau

Japan Mint

The is an Incorporated Administrative Agency of the Japanese government. This agency has its Head office in Osaka with branches in Tokyo and Hiroshima.-History:...

. Designed by Thomas Waters, it is the oldest Western-style building in the city. The Meiji Emperor stayed at Sempukan during his visit to Osaka in 1872.

Architecture

Using local materials and bricks, the building was constructed according to the Colonial Veranda style. The granite outer pillars are of Italian Tuscany design. Inside, it was beautifully decorated with high ceilings and chandeliers. The building was also equipped with western style toilets that use running water for flushing. All rooms on the 2nd floor are equipped with its own fireplace and a special throne room was constructed to accommodate the Emperor and other members of the imperial family during their visits.

Current Condition

Due to its age and state of deterioration, the Sempukan is currently undergoing renovation and closed to the general public.