On January 1st, 2019, The city of Niigata marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of Niigata port.
Throughout the history of Niigata, Niigata port has a crucial role to create the unique history and culture. In prehistoric time, Niigata port presumed already existed, even if water traffic was primitive era. “Kanbara-no-tsu” is the first set up port described at Engi-Shiki in 972 A.D. Then, “Nuttari-minato” port and “Niigata-no-tsu” port appeared from the 14th to the 16th century. As described three ports were located at the mouths of the Shinano river and the Agano river, these two rivers have the largest watershed area in Japan. In early modern ages, Niigata port became prosperous as a port of Kitamaebune cargo ships entrance and departure. In the period of Isolation, the end of the Edo era，foreign countries selected led to be forced to opening of Niigata port, however, due to the civil war, it opened later than the other ports.
After the Meiji era, Niigata thrived as a modern port and also as a gateway to the continent, but towards the end of WWII, the port lost all ability to function due to a naval mine blockade in the surrounding waters. After the war, the port regained its position as one of the Japanese most important ports. Today, many cultural assets from Port City Niigataʼs history remain including the traditional Ryoutei restaurants and Geisha culture that blossomed to welcome guests when Niigata flourished as a trading hub, former residences of wealthy merchants from that same period, and cultural assets related to praying for ship safety. Port City Niigata will continue to utilize these cultural legacies to better our city.
