Former Niigata Customs House

Former Niigata Customs House (旧新潟税関, kyū-Niigata zeikan) is an early Meiji period building in the city of Niigata, Niigata, within the MINATOPIA, or park surrounding the Niigata City History Museum. The building was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan and a National Historic Site of Japan in 1969.[1] The building is an example of Giyōfū architecture, mixing western and Japanese elements. The building has red roof tiles and arched doorways, combined with "nameko-style" plaster walls and a pagoda-like tower.

Former Niigata Customs House
旧新潟税関
The Former Niigata Customs House is an Important Cultural Property
Show map of Niigata Prefecture Show map of Japan
General information
Town or city	Niigata, Niigata Prefecture
Country	Japan
Coordinates	37°55′49″N 139°03′27″E
Opened	1869
Owner	Niigata City

Overview

The Treaty of Amity and Commerce (United States–Japan) of 1858, otherwise known as the "Harris Treaty" stipulated that the ports of Kanagawa, Hakodate, Nagasaki, Hyōgō and Niiigata be opened to foreign trade. In the case of Niigata, no action was taken until after the Meiji restoration and the port was declared open in 1868. This building was built in 1869, initially as a shipping office to coordinate the loading and unloading of vessels and warehousing of cargo, but from 1873 to 1966 was used as a government office to collect customs duties.

The building was damaged during the 1964 Niigata earthquake, and tsunami, but was restored to its easy Meiji appearance by 1967. It was turned over to the administration of the city of Niigata in 1970 and after several years of restoration, now serves as a museum.

See also

• List of Historic Sites of Japan (Niigata)

References

1. "旧新潟税関" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.

External links

• Niigata City History Museum (in Japanese)
• Niigata city home page (in Japanese)