Retro Japan in Photos: Ex-bank branch built in 1931 retains dignity in Osaka

The Sakaisuji Club building, a former bank branch, is lit up in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The lobby of a former bank building, now called Sakaisuji Club, is double-height and gives a sense of openness as seen in this photo taken in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. A bakery restaurant now occupies the floor, allowing customers to have meals while enjoying a nostalgic atmosphere. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The door of a former vault -- an icon of banks -- is seen at the Sakaisuji Club building in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. The vault is now sometimes used as a gallery. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The elaborately designed and decorated facade of the Sakaisuji Club building is seen in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The double-height lobby of a former bank branch -- now called the Sakaisuji Club -- has a cloistered walkway on the second-floor level, and its ceiling beams are beautifully decorated, as seen in this photo taken in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The staircase of the Sakaisuji Club building retains the original structure from 1931 as seen in this photo taken in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The door of a former vault, which symbolizes banks, is seen at the Sakaisuji Club building in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The original door of the former telephone operators' office remains at the Sakaisuji Club building, a former bank branch, in Osaka's Chuo Ward, as seen on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

Haitian decor is seen on the lobby ceiling of the Sakaisuji Club building in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

Metal handles on shelves are seen inside the former vault, a symbol of banks, at the Sakaisuji Club building -- a former bank branch -- in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The sturdy door of a former vault, which symbolizes banks, is seen at the Sakaisuji Club building -- a former bank branch -- in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The double-height lobby of a former bank branch -- now called the Sakaisuji Club -- has a cloistered walkway on the second-floor level, and its ceiling beams are beautifully decorated, as seen in this photo taken in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The double-height lobby of a former bank branch -- now called the Sakaisuji Club -- has a cloistered walkway on the second-floor level, and its ceiling beams are beautifully decorated, as seen in this photo taken in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)

The double-height lobby of a former bank branch -- now called the Sakaisuji Club -- has a cloistered walkway on the second-floor level, and its ceiling beams are beautifully decorated, as seen in this photo taken in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Feb. 3, 2022. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Onishi)