City halls tend to be grand looking but boring places, stately buildings where the governing is done and from where civilians usually stay away. Notso here. When constructing Ao-re, the architect KengoKuma had a very definitive aim in mind: to create a meeting place for citizens in an warm and inviting ambience. To this end, rather than use traditional brick and mortar, they made used of local cedar to create an unusual checkered interior wall, a frontal garden extending from inside the building to the street outside. Moreover, he put the city council chamber on the ground floor, so the people could better connect with their government. You will rarely find a civic structure more beautiful, more elegant. 1.2 million people visit it every year… just to hang out.

• Disabled accessible.

• Some departments have other timings: 9:30 am to 5:15 pm.

• Drive to here.
• This is 5 minute walk from the JR Station.

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