Asakusa Ryounkaku
(Jyu-ni-kai)

(Above:) Asakusa Park at Tokyo. The towering Jyunikai, ca. 1905, from across the Ghourd Pond [Hyotanike]. The billboard advertises Ni-yen, a popular candy of the period (and for many years after) that cost ni-yen (2 yen). A corner of Hana-Yashiki, Asakusa Park's first amusement area, can be seen to the right.

For 33 years, Ryounkaku [Cloud surpassing pavilion] towered over Asakusa and the surrounding city. Completed in 1890, built of brick over a wood frame, the twelve-story Ryounkaku stood out among the more typical two-, three- or four-story buildings that were common in Meiji-era Tokyo.

Because of its height, Ryounkaku was known locally as Ju-ni-kai [Twelve-stories]. Its height was of notable achievement. It was the tallest building in the Eastern hemisphere when completed; only some 70-feet shorter in 1890 than the then-world's tallest building, the New York World building. Inside "Twelve-Stories" was Japan's first elevator; the tower was lit on every floor, with an additional row of arc lights perched above the outdoor observation deck. A strong tremor in 1894 weakened the tower, producing a slight lean. In its aftermath, Ryounkaku was reinforced with steel girders. Unfortunately, the reinforced tower was no match for the 1923 Kanto earthquake and the towering landmark was reduced to rubble.