🗺️ Niigata City Historical Museum MINATOPIA

During the Bakumatsu period, among the five ports selected for opening—Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Hakodate, and Niigata—the "Old Niigata Customs House" is the only one that retains the appearance from the time of opening. It is also designated as an important cultural property by the national government and is now the Niigata City History Museum. Nearby, there are stone steps that were used for loading and unloading cargo from ships at that time, as well as a restored stone warehouse that was used to temporarily store goods for customs duties, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenic views filled with the charm of a port town. Inside the museum, there is a permanent exhibition showcasing precious materials through model scenes and photographs, as well as a museum theater where visitors can watch historical films and works about great figures on a large screen over 6 meters in size, providing an enjoyable way to learn about Niigata's history. Additionally, there is an experiential plaza where visitors can engage with traditional lifestyles and skills, and an information library that houses historical documents, making many areas so engaging that one could easily spend half a day there. From April to October, there are free guided tours organized by volunteers (reservation required), allowing for a deeper understanding of this historic building.

Among the five ports opened during the Bakumatsu period, this is the only one that retains the architecture from that time. The port landscape, including stone warehouses and cargo handling areas, has also been recreated. Through permanent exhibitions and a museum theater, visitors can learn about the history of Niigata. There is also a plaza where one can experience traditional lifestyles, wisdom, and crafts. Free guided tours of the facility are available from April to October, and permanent guided tours are held year-round (reservation required).