About the Museum Building (formerly Niigata Teacher’s School Memorial Hall)

The museum building was built in 1929 as Niigata Teacher’s School Memorial Hall and has been used as a children’s museum and other facilities since its construction. It is one of the oldest existing reinforced concrete buildings of the early Showa period in Niigata City. As a result, the Asahimachi Museum was designated a registered tangible cultural property by the national government in November 2005. Repairs to exterior walls and other renovations are being carried out in 2021.

In addition to the exterior of the building displaying a feeling of elevation through pillars that run from the first to the second floor and vertical window fenestration, the pillars in the center of the facade are raised to emphasize symmetry, soundly conveying the characteristics of the Neo-Gothic style that was popular in Japan in the early Showa period. Highlights of the museum include its scratch-tile walls and the beauty of the fittings that can be seen on the staircases and elsewhere.

The Asahimachi/Nishiohata area where the museum is located is dotted with Western-style buildings and residences with a blend of Japanese and Western styles built during the Meiji and early Showa periods, some of which are used as galleries. You can take a stroll and enjoy the atmosphere of that time.

Name	Niigata University Asahimachi Museum (formerly Niigata Teacher’s School Memorial Hall)
Design and construction	Shimizu Corporation
Structure	Reinforced Concrete Structure, 2 stories
Architectural style	Neo-Gothic
Floor area	266 square meters
Opened	1929 (Showa 4)
Renovated	2021 (Reiwa 3)
Location	2-746 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8122 JAPAN
Affiliation	National University cooperation Niigata University
Designation of Cultural Properties	National Tangible Cultural Property (building) Registered on November 14, 2005 Registration No.15-0187 (Agency for Cultural Affairs)