NIIGATA
Niigata is situated on the west coast of Japan and in the southern part of the province of Echigo, at the mouth of the river Shinano. Though well located for trade it has yielded the most disappointing results of all the Treaty ports of Japan. Foreign goods find their way to Niigata in considerable quantities, but since the opening of the port no direct foreign trade has been developed there. The imports in 1894 amounted to $21,814 and the exports to $22,553.
The town, which is one of the cleanest and best laid-out in Japan, covers an area of rather more than one square mile, and consists of five parallel streets intersected by cross streets watered by canals which communicate with the river. It has been materially improved within the last few years by the widening of the canals and streets, the latter of which are now lighted with petroleum obtained in the district. New Law Courts, Post-office, and Schools have been built, and the town is connected by telegraph. with Tokyo and other cities of the Empire. A Government Hospital and a Medical School, as well as a large English School under English and American masters, have been established here. A handsome building for the local assembly was completed in 1884.. A steam rice mill has been started and some fresh industries have been commenced.. Niigata is famed for the beauty of its women. The population of the town in December, 1893, was 49,033.
AMERICAN BOARD MISSION
DIRECTORY
Rev. Hilton & Mrs. Pedley, Gakkocho Rev. H. B. and Mrs. Newell, Minami-
hama dori
Miss Clara Brown, Gakko-cho
CHIHO SAIBANCHO
Judge President-Kouda Gitei
Consulate Great BritaIN
Acting Consul-J. C. Hall (absent)
Do.
-A. M. Chalmers
CUSTOMS-IMPERIAL
Superintendent-Watanabe Yoshiro
KENCHO
Governor-Koteda Yasusada Secretary-Sugimoto Shigeto Councillor-Mori Masataka
Koro CHIN GAKKO
O. N. Benton
METHODIST CHURCH OF CANADA MISSION
J. G. Dunlop, M.A., and wife
NIIGATA BUSSAN KAISHA (Niigata Produce
Company)
Sudzuki Chohachi, director Fujita Bunji, manager
NIPPON YUSEN KAISHIA
M. Hama, agent
POST AND Telegraph OffICE
Director-Toru Tsuruda
ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION
Rev. O. de Noailles, mission. apost. Rev. Alexis Cocherie
SISTERS OF CHARITY
Steur Vitalme, supérieure Sœurs Aspasie, Caroline
OSAKA
Osaka is the second city in Japan in point of size and commercial importance, and has not inaptly been termed the Venice of the Far East, owing to the manner in which it is intersected by canals. The city is compact and well laid out, the streets being regular, clean, and animated. Osaka is essentially Japanese, though a go-ahead and progressive city, and possesses much of interest to the foreign visitor. It is situated in the province of Settsu, and is built on the banks of the river Ajikawa, about five miles from the sea. The river is only navigable for small vessels, and on the opening of the
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