Hiroshima Andersen (A-bombed building)

It was completed in 1925 (Taisho 14) as the Hiroshima branch of Mitsui Bank, and was merged with Teikoku Bank in 1943 to become the Hiroshima branch of Teikoku Bank. In 1945, the building was 360 meters from the hypocenter when the atomic bomb hit. Most of the modern Renaissance-style building, including the ceiling and walls, collapsed, but the vault in the basement was intact. After continuing to operate as a bank, in 1967 (Showa 42), Takaki Bakery purchased the building, renovated it, and opened it as Hiroshima Andersen. In 1978 (Showa 53), the tall old building and the new building were cleverly connected to form a unified store, with a shopping floor with two basement floors and eight aboveground floors, as well as a restaurant and party venue, and offers a full range of bread-related services from everyday meal preparation to weddings. In 2002, the building was preserved by undergoing earthquake-resistance reinforcement and a full renovation, restoring it to a style appropriate for the times. Renovation work began in mid-July 2018, and the building was completely renovated while leaving the parts that were exposed to the atomic bomb intact, reopening in August 2020 in a style appropriate for the times. In addition to selling bread, the shop also has a wedding venue.