Along National Route 53 (Yanagawa line), which is located at the western side of the current location, there was the outer moat of Okayama Castle which was built as western “Sougamae” (outermost enclosure of a castle), by Kobayakawa Hideaki, the then load of the castle.

It is said that the outer moat was about 2.5 km long, and was called “Hatsuka-bori” (20 days moat) as it was completed in 20 days. There were five gates at the moat and one of them, “Yamasaki-cho Gate” was near the current location.

The inner area of the outer moat, the vicinity of Nakasange, was called “San-no-sotoguruwa” (third outer compound), and there were many samurai residents. Outside the moat, big temples such as Daiun-ji, Renjyo-ji, Kannon-ji, and Yakushi-ji were also located there.

Along the road running north of the current location was an important main road of the Edo period called "Saigoku-kaido" road which went from Kyoto (Tou-ji gate) to the western part of Japan (Simonoseki and Kyushu).

At 2:43 a.m. June 29, 1945, the first B-29 appeared over Okayama City and started to drop incendiary bombs. The air raid continued till 4:07 a.m. and 138 B-29 planes dropped approximately 95,000 incendiary bombs during that time. Okayama City was destroyed by a disastrous fire caused by the heavy bombardment of these incendiary bombs.

At least 2,000 people died and more people suffered burns and other injuries. According to a report by the U.S. forces, about 63% of the city center was burned down.

The aerial photograph above, which was taken on July 5, 1945, shows Okayama City center after the Okayama Air Raid and the light grey part in the photograph is the area destroyed by the fire.

We must not forget this experience but inherit the memory. In order not to let such a tragedy happen again, we must continue to work hard toward peace and also remember those who impressively reconstructed the city from ashes.

From the late 1950s when the post-war turmoil had settled, Okayama City began planning construction projects to widen major roads in the city.

Yanagawa intersection was repaired in the shape of a rotary and buildings were newly constructed around it. The post-war recovery was achieved.

In those days, telegraph poles were standing on the road, but now power lines and communication lines are housed in common cable ducts. This allows for secure comfortable walking areas and improves the landscape of the area. The HARE-CROSS TOWER building now stands where the large advertisement structure, designed in the image of a star, once stood.

The HARE-CROSS TOWER architectural outline

Project Name /// A type 1 urban redevelopment project of the area of 1-1 Nakasange, Okayama City

Districts and Zones /// Commercial zone, Fire prevention zone, High-level usage district, Regulations of required parking spaces for cars and bicycles applicable district

Architectural Outline /// Site area: 2,681.12㎡ / Building area: 1,833.41㎡ / Total floor area: 23,689.55㎡ / Rentable area: 17,773.61㎡ / Building coverage ratio: 68.39% / Floor area ratio: 662.92% / Structure: Reinforced concrete structure with steel frames used partially, Base isolated structure / The number of floors: 21 floors / Maximum height: 77.7m (including penthouse)

Principal Usage /// Apartment-house, Stores, Clinics and Residential-type nursing home / Number of parking vehicles: 114

Public Space /// Hare no Hiroba on the ground floor and a roof garden on the fourth floor

Agencies associated with this project

Constructor /// Urban redevelopment project association for the area of 1-1 Nakasange, Okayama City

Consultant /// Local Design Co., Ltd.

Design and Management /// Archiscope Co., Ltd.

Construction Work /// Takenaka Corporation