Celebrated civic hall reopens, set to display memorabilia of Japan skating star Riku Miura

Takarazuka, a city in Hyogo prefecture, witnessed the reopening of its renowned civic hall on October 5, after a six-year hiatus. Designed by the late architect Togo Murano, a prominent figure in Japan's Showa era, the architectural masterpiece has stood as the city's centerpiece since its completion in 1980. The splendid 544-square-meter atrium, distinguished by its spiral staircase, balconylike walkways, and elegant curved lines, has been utilized for a range of events, from small concerts to ceremonial gatherings.

However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the civic hall was repurposed into office space due to concerns over close contact among city employees. Despite this shift, citizens persisted in their calls for its reopening, which has now materialized. In a celebratory gesture, the Takarazuka Municipal Government will host an exhibition commencing October 15, showcasing memorabilia of Olympic figure skating champion Riku Miura, a local native and gold medalist at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

The exhibition will feature a pair of Miura's ice skates, each bearing her autograph; a blue costume she wore during her free skating routines in 2019 and 2020; and a national team jersey. Additionally, an autograph board, inscribed by Miura and her skating partner, Ryuichi Kihara, will be on display. The items were donated by Miura herself, who expressed her gratitude to local residents for their support, following her receipt of the Takarazuka Citizen Honor Award in March.

The exhibition, scheduled to run from October 15 to 30, will be open to the public on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To enhance public understanding of the civic hall's architectural significance, the city will distribute informational leaflets detailing its design elements and publish an explanatory page on its website.