- Minyo Nagashi Folk Dance: A masterpiece! 1.5 km, a dancing circle of 10,000 people. Niigata City's summer tradition.
- Niigata City's Minyo Nagashi Folk Dance is a traditional event that is part of the Niigata Festival, which is held every summer.
A Garden as Beautiful as a Museum! Niigata’s Hidden Architectural Gem Reflecting Merchant Aesthetics
The “Former Saito Family Villa,” nestled in downtown Niigata, might appear modest and tranquil at first glance. However, stepping inside reveals a luxurious space that exceeds all expectations.
The most breathtaking feature is the Japanese garden view from the second-floor hall. The garden landscape, framed by windows like a painting, is stunningly beautiful. The fusion of Japanese-Western architectural aesthetics with a garden that transforms through the seasons creates an extraordinary sight—a testament to the careful calculations and designs of the craftsmen of that era.
The Saito family, who made their fortune in this region, pursued an aesthetic vision that still lives on in every corner of the building a century later. The carefully selected precious woods, intricate carvings, and construction techniques representing the finest in Japanese architecture combine in perfect harmony to create this beautiful landscape.
This article will guide you through the highlights of the Former Saito Family Villa, following the actual visitor route. We invite you to fully enjoy the spectacular view from the second floor, the various architectural details and considerations, and the luxurious spaces befitting a wealthy merchant’s mansion.
Former Saito Family Villa
The Former Saito Family Villa, located in Niigata City’s Central District, is a historic building constructed during the Taisho era by the Saito family, prominent merchants who represented Niigata. It features a Japanese-Western fusion architectural style, and its Japanese garden is particularly famous for its seasonal views.
- Business hours
- [April - September] 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
- [October - March] 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Regular holiday
- Mondays (open on holidays, closed the following day)
- Day after holidays (if holiday falls on Saturday/Sunday, closed on Tuesday)
- December 28 - January 3
- Telephone number
- +081-25-210-8350
- Official site
- https://saitouke.jp/
- Parking
- Niigata City Art Museum Parking Lot No. 2 available (free, 4 - minute walk to Former Saito Family Villa)
- Niigata City Nishihori Underground Parking (60 minutes free, 10 - minute walk to Former Saito Family Villa)
- Paid parking available nearby
- How to visit
- Bus: 1 - minute walk from "Northern Culture Museum Niigata Branch" stop on Niigata City Tourist Loop Bus
- Bus: 6 - minute walk from "Nishiohata" stop on Route C2 Hamauracho Line
- Car/Taxi: 10 - 15 minutes from JR Niigata Station
- Walking: 40 minutes from JR Niigata Station
- Address
- 〒951 - 8104 576 Nishiohatacho, Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults | 300 yen |
| Elementary/Junior High School Students | 100 yen |
About the Saito Family: Niigata’s Wealthy Merchants
The Saito family was one of Niigata’s three major merchant houses. Known by their trade names “Mikuniya” and “Yamasan,” successive heads of the family carried the name Kijuro.
Originally sake wholesalers, they experienced significant growth during the Meiji era through their Kitamaebune shipping business. They invested their profits in land and securities, contributing to Niigata’s modernization. Through marriages with other influential merchant families in the region, they expanded their influence and became a significant local business empire.
The current villa is a precious building that conveys the prosperity of the Saito family to the present day.
Breathtaking! A Japanese Garden Beautiful as a Painting
The crowning glory of the Former Saito Family Villa is the Japanese garden viewed from the second-floor hall, appearing like a masterful painting.
The garden landscape, framed by the hall’s windows like a painting, is particularly striking. This structure employs the Japanese technique of “borrowed scenery,” creating a space where nature and architecture exist in perfect harmony.
The garden changes its appearance with the seasons, offering different views with each visit: fresh greenery in spring, lush foliage in summer, crimson leaves in autumn, and snow scenes in winter. Particularly enchanting is when sunlight filters through the leaves, creating subtle interplays of light and shadow that resemble an exquisite painting.
Take your time to enjoy this beautiful moment created by the harmony between building and garden from the second-floor hall. Once here, you’ll likely lose track of time, absorbed in its beauty.
Step into a Wealthy Merchant’s Home! Luxurious Modern Japanese Architecture
The Former Saito Family Villa is a luxurious modern Japanese building based on the sukiya architectural style. The building reflects the owner’s attention to detail throughout, from the precious woods used in floors and ceilings to the elaborate designs of the transom windows and architectural elements.
The glass doors facing the garden can be opened completely, creating a sense of unity with the garden. Additionally, the building faces north to avoid direct sunlight, resulting in a naturally cool structure.
This building was also constructed under the concept of “garden-building unity.” This concept represents the harmonious fusion between garden and building, where boundaries between the two blur. The building itself is designed to integrate with nature, and the beautiful view of the Japanese garden mentioned earlier was also designed considering this concept.
After purchasing your ticket at the entrance of the Former Saito Family Villa, you’ll begin your tour through the interior of this residence.
First Floor Hall
The hall is built in the shoin style. The shoin style consists of three elements: the alcove, the staggered shelves, and the built-in desk.
The alcove is a space for displaying decorative items. The staggered shelves, with their elaborate decorations, are one of the highlights.
The built-in desk, originally a monk’s writing desk, is designed to allow natural light into the alcove. Above the desk is an ornate hawk-themed openwork carving.
From the seating area, you can view the entire garden, allowing you to experience the beautiful space where building and garden become one.
Tea Room
The tea room is designed so that only a plum tree and stone steps leading to the hill are visible from the front, carefully planned to exclude other views from sight.
In contrast to the panoramic view of the main hall, this is a space that conveys the tranquility and charm of being in the mountains. Though part of the main house, its special atmosphere evokes the rustic charm of a tea hut.
West Room
The west room was used by Kijuro Saito, the fourth head of the family, for private matters and receiving guests. From the window, you can see a bamboo grove, which, along with the pine trees of the main hall and the plum tree of the tea room, forms part of the auspicious landscape elements.
Additionally, the transom window in the center of the room features bamboo carvings, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful details of the design.
The eight-tatami room near the well is the only south-facing space in the building, creating an open atmosphere where bright sunlight streams in.
Buddhist Room
The Buddhist room is a space in traditional Japanese homes or temples dedicated to the Buddhist altar. Centered around the altar where Buddhist statues and memorial tablets are enshrined, it is a sacred place for honoring family and ancestors.
Inside the room is a gold-leafed screen, behind which the Buddhist altar was originally located. This gold screen features a special mechanism allowing it to slide vertically. Additionally, above the alcove next to the altar is a Shinto shrine, reflecting the prayer space characteristic of Japanese architecture.
Bamboo and Rooster Painting
The bamboo and rooster painting is an auspicious design. The bamboo, with its vigorous shoot growth, is considered a symbol of longevity.
The rooster, on the other hand, is considered a sacred bird in the West, used as a weathervane for its role in announcing time and dispelling darkness. In China, it’s seen as the spiritual bird that welcomes the sun, and in Japan, it’s depicted on votive tablets for fire protection and children’s health.
Second Floor Hall
The second-floor hall is the best observation point to view the impressive landscape mentioned earlier.
The garden is constructed using the southern slope of the dune terrain, with black pine trees planted over 150 years ago as windbreaks adding charm to the landscape. Additionally, there are over 100 maple trees, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful seasonal changes.
Be sure to take in the panoramic view from the second floor fully.
Step into Charm and Nature! A Walk Through the Garden
The garden of the Former Saito Family Villa, covering approximately 4,500 square meters, is divided into three areas: the formal entrance garden, the charming inner courtyard, and the spacious main garden that cleverly utilizes the natural dune topography, all connected by garden paths.
The inner courtyard is a stroll garden designed using the dune topography, which visitors can explore on foot. After touring the interior of the villa, take time to explore the garden. You can enjoy up close the garden’s different aspects as they change with the seasons and time of day.
Viewing the building from the garden also offers its own unique charm.
A Taisho Romantic Treasure Niigata Proudly Presents, with Spectacular Seasonal Views｜Former Saito Family Villa
When you finish touring the garden and prepare to leave the villa, you will have fully experienced the essence of traditional Japan. The Japanese garden viewed from the second-floor hall, the elegant sukiya-style rooms, and the stroll garden that changes with the seasons—each element tells the story of Niigata’s history and culture, and the precious heritage of traditional Japanese beauty.
During the Meiji era, the Saito family accumulated their wealth through Kitamaebune shipping, contributing to Niigata’s modernization. The Former Saito Family Villa, which transmits their aesthetic sense and history, is not only a precious cultural heritage for local Niigata residents but also a special place that attracts visitors from across the country to refresh their body and soul.
Fresh greenery in spring, dense foliage in summer, crimson leaves in autumn, and white snow in winter. The Japanese garden, changing with the four seasons, offers new discoveries and emotions with each visit. Especially the view from the second-floor hall is like a masterpiece within a frame.
If you’re unsure about what to visit in Niigata, make sure to come to the Former Saito Family Villa. Here you can fully immerse yourself in the history that lives on in this wealthy merchant’s mansion and its perfect harmony with the beautiful Japanese garden.
