Niigata City History Museum (Minatopia)

4.0

At this history museum in Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, you’ll find materials illuminating the history and folk culture of Niigata, which developed along with the sea. The main building adopts a modern Western design used by the second-generation Niigata city hall. Inside, you’ll find a permanent exhibit with the theme “The local sea and locals’ lives,” along with a theater, planned exhibitions, and more. Onsite, there’s also the Former Niigata Customhouse building in the Meiji period, a National Treasure, and the Former Daishi Bank Sumiyoshi-cho Branch, which was completed in 1927. Visitors are allowed entry.

Spot details

Address: Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Yanagishimachou 2-10 Map
Area: Niigata / Aga Area
Phone: 0252256111
Hours: 9:30-18:00
[Oct.-Mar.]9:30-17:00
※Tickets are sold until 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Monday (The next day if that Sunday falls on a Holiday), The next day of public holiday (Tuesday if that Sunday falls on SaturdaySunday), New Year's Holiday (12/28-1/3), Fumigation period, etc.
Fees: [Permanent exhibition admission fee to view]
[General] 300 yen
[High School Students/College students] 200 yen
[Elementary/Junior High School Students] 100 yen
*Special exhibitions vary by exhibition
Parking Lot: Available(73spaces)
Credit Card: Available(VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, UnionPay, DISCOVER, Diners Club)
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Available(Niigata City Wi-Fi (until 2024/3/31))
Average budget: [Lunch] 1-1,000yen
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Available
Infant friendly: Available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

Go for the buildings, but check it out anyway

Reviewed : 2018.12.28

The buildings are beautiful! Kind of a colonial European vibe, and (for me) they’re especially pretty in the evening.If I remember rightly, the entry fee was ¥300, which is perfectly reasonable...
Slightly interesting for a rainy day

Reviewed : 2018.05.30

This museum was only was very mildly interesting, with not much translated into English. Id only recommend if you have nothing else to do.
Fine historical exhibits - but weak on non-Japanese explanation

Reviewed : 2017.05.19

If you are staying at the Nikko or have to wait more than an hour for the Sado Kisen ferry, pop over to the History Museum right across the river. You learn Niigata was one of 4-5 targets for the...