The premises of present Sakaimachi Garow were built as a kimono store in the early Meiji period. The house had been used for a doctor's office until 1982, when it was converted into an art gallery with an old Machiya atmosphere. Ever since, numerous exhibitions, concerts, movies, talks as well as other cultural activities beyond the genres have been held here.

There was a former kitchen across the narrow passage court behind the main gallery. This interesting room, with the earth floor and walls, bare beams and members along with the thick main prop lit by a skylight high on the roof, was done over in 2001 to become an annex, New Space, for the gallery's own collection and mini live concerts.

In 2004, the New Space became the main gallery, and since then, exhibitions have been limited to those of one to two-artist shows due to the size of the room.

Wth natural lights and breezes coming through, the gallery space enjoys the Machiya's good qualities; water sprinkling and old electric fans to send away summer heat, hibachi and kerosene heaters to avoid winter cold. Lacking modern air conditioning facility, Sakaimachi Garow is closed during the hottest and coldest periods (July-Aug. and Jan.-Feb.)

As for English information about the gallrery, so far we provide the visiters to this web site only with this "Information" section and its sub-pages written in English. The other sections such as Gallery Schedule are in Japanese only. If you are interested in our shows and events, we are happy to answere your inquiry through e-mail that is linked down below.