Yanai Machinami Museum/Matsushima Utako Museum

This building was constructed in 1907 (Meiji 40) as the head office of Suo Bank. One of few such buildings in Japan, the stately appearance of the former bank can be felt even today. It was designed by Sato Setsuo, the star pupil of Nagano Uheiji, who worked on many Western-style buildings in the Meiji period. Suo Bank later underwent several mergers, and the building was donated to Yanai City by its final owner, The Yamaguchi Bank Ltd., in 1998.
The first floor of the building is used as the Machinami (Townscape) Museum, exhibiting models of townhouses in Yanai’s Townscape Preservation District. The second floor is a memorial museum to the late Matsushima Utako, a Yanai-born singer. The museum exhibits various items related to Ms. Matsushima, who was a representative singer of popular music in the Showa period (1926–1989). Visitors can see her beloved piano, as well as vinyl records including her hit song “Maronie no Kokage” (The Shade of the Horse Chestnut Tree), posters, and more.