Atema Forest Hall and Waterside Hall (あてま森と水辺の教室 森のホール 水辺のホール)

The Forest Hall (森のホール) and the Waterside Hall (水辺のホール) opened on 18 September 2010 on the Atema plateau (当間高原), in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture. The first is the visitor centre of the Popora nature school (あてま森と水辺の教室ポポラ), then called the Tokyo Electric Power Nature School (東京電力自然学校); the second is a place to experience the coexistence of people and nature. Tadao Ando's office was responsible for the design and the supervision of the works.

Popora carries out continuous monitoring and conservation work on the plateau's wildlife, plants and ecosystems, and offers nature activities. It is now run by the Belnatio hotel (あてま高原リゾート ベルナティオ), which adjoins the site. Its name comes from an Italian expression for the symbiosis of people and nature: Tokamachi is twinned with Como, and the name Belnatio is also of Italian origin.

The Forest Hall is designed after a Japanese house, an open building where visitors can relax at ease.

The Waterside Hall follows the satoyama (里山) landscape handed down in Tokamachi, a snow country: the building and the nature around it form a harmonious space. An immense window faces the water; when it is opened, the sense of oneness with nature grows still more. An observation room lets visitors see at close range the creatures of the forest and shores of Atema.

The Forest Hall is the base for all of Popora's activities, and entry is free. It holds permanent exhibits on the wildlife and plants of Atema (stuffed animals such as bears and rabbits, tanks of medaka and newts), illustrated books and reference works, the SHOP POPORA shop, which brings together products designed by Popora and others made with kimono workshops and woodworkers, and a corner for hands-on workshops (hand stamps, wooden chopsticks) offered every day without reservation. The reception desk gives information on the nature activities and settles their fees.

The Waterside Hall is used for nature activities, special events, groups and weddings; indoor programmes and group training also take place there.

The Forest Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free entry. It closes on Tuesdays from noon, but opens on public holidays, at the turn of the year, during Golden Week and during the spring and summer school holidays; it also closes during the hotel's closures (about a week in mid-April and a week in early December). Workshops need no reservation; nature activities are booked online or by phone, meeting at the Forest Hall reception ten minutes before the start.

The hall stands next to the hotel's annex, on the side opposite the main building. Most visitors come by car, about 25 minutes from Tokamachi station, and the car park of about 200 spaces is shared with the hotel.