Nagoya City Archives, Municipal archive in Shirakabe district, Nagoya, Japan
Nagoya City Archives is a municipal archive in the Shirakabe district housed in a classically styled building with high ceilings and ornate windows throughout. The structure sits at the edge of Meijo Park and contains rooms organized to store and display historical documents, photographs, and administrative records.
The building was constructed in 1922 during the Taisho era and originally functioned as Nagoya's Court of Appeals. In 1989 it was converted into a municipal archive, marking a significant change in how the structure now serves the city.
The building reflects Nagoya's transformation into a modern administrative hub through its blend of Western and Japanese design, visible in every room and corridor. It serves as a physical reminder of how the city developed over time through the documents and spaces preserved inside.
The archive is accessible throughout the week and sits close to Meijo Park, making it easy to locate and visit. Plan your visit considering standard administrative hours to ensure the reading rooms and document viewing areas are fully open.
The building houses one of Japan's largest collections of stained-glass windows, spread across its walls and creating striking visual effects throughout. Inside, a preserved courtroom from before the 1947 constitutional period still stands, offering visitors a glimpse into how justice functioned in that era.
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