Maizuru Brick Park
Maizuru Brick Park is a collection of repurposed navy arsenal buildings located at the port in the city of Maizuru. Of the original 12 brick warehouses, 8 have been designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and 5 are now open to the general public.
The red brick warehouses were built between 1901 and 1921 after the Japanese Imperial Navy established one of the nation’s four major naval bases in Maizuru. They are a symbol of the rapid modernization that took place during this time period. The buildings were used for military purposes until the end of World War II, and many later became warehouses for private corporations.
Remnants of history are visible in the buildings’ architecture and exterior features. Black paint can be seen at the base of some buildings, as the buildings had been painted black to camouflage them in case of air raids. Building 5 houses a massive crane that was used to carry the torpedoes that were stored there from one end of the warehouse to the other. The building has served as the filming location for a number of historical TV dramas and movies.
Each building is slightly different. Among them you will find museum exhibits, cafes, restaurants, art studios, and a gift shop. The largest of the buildings, Building 5, was constructed from approximately 500,000 bricks, and is now an event hall for bazaars, expositions, and weddings. The World Brick Museum, housed in Building 1, displays bricks from all over the world and has exhibits on brick production and bricklaying techniques.
