The Niigata Prefectural Government Memorial Hall, a national important cultural asset, is located right next to Hakusan Shrine in Chuo-ku, Niigata City. Even if you have been to Hakusan Shrine before, I think surprisingly few people have visited this museum, which is right next to the shrine. This was the first time for me to visit the museum.

Admission to the museum is free! The museum is basically closed every Monday. I have twice in the past been saddened by visiting on a Monday, forgetting that the museum is closed on that day.

It is the only surviving Western-style building built in the early Meiji period (1868-1912) as a prefectural assembly hall. The Meiji era was a time of civilisation and enlightenment. Through this building, visitors could feel the atmosphere of an era that began to incorporate a wide range of cultures from abroad.

Two points of personal tension are as follows!

(1) ringing ceiling

A ringing ceiling is a ceiling with a structure that, when you hit your hand forcefully in the middle of a staircase, echoes beautifully like the sound of a bee's wings. We gave it a quick try to see what it could do. Can you feel it? (In reality, the sound is much more dynamic, and you'll say, "Oh!". (In reality, the sound is much more dynamic.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDycR5D6v90

Signs with explanatory notes are also listed near the ceiling.

'Secret of the ringing ceiling'.

In the past, this place was known as the ringing ceiling. If you clap your hands vigorously here in the middle of the staircase, you will hear a beautiful sound like the buzzing of bees' wings for two or three seconds. The reason for this is that this place acts as a large resonance box formed by the narrow staircase between the walls and the high ceiling, and the sound of clapping reflects back and forth between the staircase, ceiling and walls, resulting in multiple reflections of the sound. This is the same principle as the famous 'Narukiryuu' of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Adapted from a capture.

And here is another place where the tension was high.

②Conference

An assembly hall where you can actually sit down! The name of the place is written as "the place for discussion"! It is deeply moving to think that the fine people of the past contributed to the development of Niigata by engaging in controversial discussions here.

This is the chairperson's seat. It is dignified.

It was as if I had wandered into a scene from a film, and I was often intoxicated by the luxury of the space. I went alone that day, but if you go with a friend or a loved one, you can take some emotional photos with the chairman's seat and the clock tower in the background.

The Hakusan Shrine is located right next to the building. Even when you have time, why not take a walk in Hakusan Park, visit the Prefectural Government Memorial Hall and explore the old town?

The building in Hakusan Park, called the 'Yanxi Kan', is also an emotional spot that can be visited free of charge, so you can spend a relaxing and calm time flowing slowly.

Spotlight.

Niigata Prefectural Government Memorial Hall

• Address: 3-3 Ichibanbori Dori-machi, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8132, Japan.
• tel: 025-228-3607
• Opening hours: 9am-4.30pm (9am-5pm in July and August).
• Closed: Mondays, national holidays (if Monday is a holiday, the museum is also closed the following day), year-end and New Year holidays (28 Dec-4 Jan).
• Admission: free of charge.