The Nagoya City Archives and Museum is a historic building listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan since 1984. Originally the Nagoya Court of Appeals, it was constructed in 1922, when Western architecture was popular across Japan. Eight Court of Appeals buildings have been built across Japan, but only the buildings in Nagoya and Sapporo remain.
One of the museum’s main purposes as an archive is to preserve and make historical public documents available. The building also features several exhibits that show various photos or items related to Nagoya’s history and development. However, the building’s architecture is its main attraction.
Museum Highlights
Photo by: James Rogers First-floor view of the staircase
The building’s interior and exterior have been featured in several television programs. The central staircase is an architectural masterpiece popular among photographers, made from marble imported from Europe.
The most elegant room in the building is the 3rd-floor conference room. This massive 40-tatami mat room has antique chandeliers, desks, chairs, crown moldings, and window treatments on display that have either been restored or recreated.
Some of Japan’s Finest Stained Glass
Photo by: James Rogers One of the building’s stained glass windows
The building’s stained glass has also been restored, and some consider it the finest in Japan. Other types of glass in the building are original as well. The “distorted” and “patterned” glass are unique in that they are no longer commercially available, thus leading some to consider the building a “museum of glass.”
Some of the original courtrooms have been kept original and are decorated with mannequin judges, lawyers, and defendants. The building also has small detention cells that you can enter to see what it was like to be a prisoner in the early 20th century.
Rent a Room in the Museum
Photo by: James Rogers Rent a room at the museum.
One unique service the museum provides is renting out rooms to have events or do business in. Prices vary in regard to room and time of day. For example, rooms can be rented from ¥1,000 to ¥2,500 in the morning.
There is also a quaint coffee shop in the museum where you can enjoy a quiet cup of java. The shop also serves a variety of other lunch foods, such as sandwiches and desserts. Plan to spend a relaxing half day exploring this unique building.
