ANN/THE JAPAN NEWS – In Tokyo’s Takanawa district, nestled within Minato Ward, historical landmarks gracefully coexist with sleek modern architecture. One standout is the Nihonenoki branch of the Takanawa Fire Station, a striking building resembling a lighthouse.
This iconic structure, visible on the route from Takanawadai Station to Sengakuji Temple, has stood since 1933 and is home to a dedicated team of around 30 firefighters.
Beyond its function as a local disaster response hub, the station also serves as a living relic of Tokyo’s rich history. Originally the main fire station in the area, its walls were painted black during World War II to protect it from potential air raids.
Although nearly demolished when the primary facility relocated in 1984, it was spared and continued operating as a branch. In 2010, the Tokyo metropolitan government recognised its historical value, granting it landmark status.
Inside, the building boasts a welcoming reception area and garage on the first floor, office spaces on the second, and a unique circular auditorium on the third.
The auditorium, designed in the German expressionist style, is characterised by eight rising beams that meet in the centre. It is currently used as an exhibition room, lined with old firefighting gear and a ladder, among other items. An Art Nouveau-style gas lamp, once used in the past in case of power outage, is now a valuable antique.
A steep staircase leads from the auditorium to a watchtower, used as a lookout until 1970. Now it looks like a lighthouse.
The 10-metre-high watchtower stands on top of the nearly 20-metre-high building, providing a clear view of the streetscape of the Shinagawa area.
“The tower used to be called the ‘lighthouse on the wharf’ because in the past you could see the ocean from there,” said director of the fire station 61-year-old Akiko Hatakeyama.
Inside the garage is a classic fire pump truck made by Nissan Motor Co.
