Toki Messe, Convention center and skyscraper in Bandaijima, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Toki Messe is a 31-floor structure housing exhibition halls, conference rooms, and hotel facilities where the Shinano River meets the Sea of Japan. The building serves as a gathering place for meetings and events, positioned at this significant waterfront location.
Architect Fumihiko Maki completed this 140-meter structure in 2003 as part of a waterfront redevelopment initiative in Niigata. The project marked a significant moment in transforming the city's riverfront into a modern event space.
The building's name references the crested ibis, a regional symbol of Niigata Prefecture, connecting modern architecture to local identity. Visitors walking through the spaces encounter design elements that celebrate this connection to the area's natural heritage.
The building is accessible by bus in about 15 minutes or on foot in about 20 minutes from JR Niigata Station. Parking is available on-site if you arrive by car.
The Befco Bakauke Observatory on the 31st floor offers free access to views of Niigata City, Sado Island, and the Gozu Mountains. From this height, visitors can survey the surrounding landscape and see far across the coastal region on clear days.
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