Public Halls: Their Role and Architectural Features 公会堂の役割と建築の特徴

Official explanation

Public Halls: Their Role and Architectural Features

In Japan, public halls (kokaido) play a role similar to that of town halls in some Western countries. These structures have been built throughout the country since the Meiji era (1868–1912), when they served as spaces for public meetings, social events, and displays of commercial and industrial goods. The social functions of the halls expanded in the Taisho era (1912–1926), when they were used as venues for lectures, concerts, and other public events. After World War II, the halls were used for educational purposes, such as hosting exhibitions about local history. This panel introduces the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, as well as other heritage public halls.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.