Japan's oldest public housing complex in Shizuoka survives demolition threat
SHIZUOKA -- A public housing complex in this central Japan city's Aoi Ward, has recently been attracting renewed attention, and its once planned demol
SHIZUOKA -- The oldest surviving reinforced-concrete public housing complex in Japan, located in Aoi Ward of Shizuoka City, has avoided demolition for now. Known as Hagoromo Danchi, the complex was completed in fiscal 1948 and still has several decades of serviceable life remaining. Situated about a 25-minute walk southwest of JR Shizuoka Station, Hagoromo Danchi consists of two four-story buildings with 48 floors each, containing 24 residential units.
The buildings are considered the first of their kind, constructed based on a national standard design from 1948.
The complex was originally equipped with a communal bath in the basement, which remained in use until around 1964. Monthly guided tours, organized by the Shizuoka Municipal Government since January 2023, have been so popular that participants are sometimes chosen by lottery when applications exceed capacity. Visitors often come from outside the city, with about 30% of attendees hailing from other parts of Japan.
A former resident, Sae Okubo, expressed her admiration for the buildings, stating that they are "remarkably beautiful" and that it's "amazing they are still in use." Another resident, Satomi Mochizuki, found the experience fascinating, imagining what life was like in the complex during its earlier years. Despite being designed to last 70 years, the buildings have been maintained and now experts are advocating for their preservation rather than demolition, as they could potentially last another 30 years.
The Shizuoka Municipal Government has reopened applications for new residents, with all available units already filled as of April 2025.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
