This study clarifies the role that streetlights played in the development of open port in Niigata during the Meiji era by analyzing administrative documents (Kaikaku-sousyo) and old photographs of the Meiji era. In September 1897, 275 streetlights were equipped in Niigata, a port town by Kusumoto Masataka in the Meiji era.Streetlight had two types, Lighting basket (Tentou-kago) and Lantern (Akari-gi).Streetlights were equipped at crossings and entrances to bridges.The fuel costs (oil costs) of the streetlights in Niigata town were covered by the interest of the relief money (Bikoukin) in case of bad harvest and disaster.
