The Niigata Saito Villa is the former summer residence of the Saito family, an influential Japanese merchant family. It is a prime example of Japanese architecture and garden design of the Taisho period (1912-1926). The garden has been selected as one of Japan's top Japanese gardens by the national government. On its premises, visitors can enjoy Japanese tea and sweets to complement a leisurely walk and the beauty of the landscape. For visitors to Niigata who are interested in traditional Japanese gardens and architecture, this villa is a must-see. For history aficionados, this is also an interesting place to learn more about the history of influential Japanese merchant families who played an important role in Japan's modernization in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Photograph provided by Niigata Visitors & Convention Bureau