Former Hino Clinic (Kyū Hino Iin)

Overview

The Former Hino Clinic is a hospital built in 1894 by a family of doctors with a history dating back to the Meiji era. Designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, this two-story pseudo-Western style building, consisting of a main building and a ward, is one of the oldest Western-style structures in Oita Prefecture. It features a striking blend of Western and Japanese aesthetics, showcasing a curved archway entrance porch, a spiral staircase, and a veranda, alongside Japanese artistic elements such as cloud dragon carvings and plaster artwork on the sliding door pockets. The examination room displays period beds and X-ray equipment, offering a glimpse into the advanced medical technology of the time. The Former Hino Clinic provides a valuable opportunity to understand Meiji-era medicine and architecture. Imagine the medical practices and daily life of that era as you explore.