marked the boundary between the Japanese settlement area on the west, and the foreign settlement area on the east. In 1860, canals were built in addition to the existing rivers, so that Kannai was completely surrounded by water. There was a Kanmon placed on each bridge, to restrict access, and to prevent contact between samurai and foreigners. The samurai were not allowed into Kannai. After subsequent modernizations over the years, the Kanmon lost its significance, and was eventually removed. However, even after the abolishment of the Kanmon, the name Kannai (which originally meant "inside the Kanmon") remains popular to this day. Examples of modern western architecture built in the 1920s and 1930s still remain in Kannai. Buildings of note include: The Yokohama Archives of History housed partly in the former British Consulate building constructed in 1931. Kannai today Today, Shuto Expressway and Ōdōri Park occupy the former location of the Yoshida River. The bridge has become part of the road. And a stone monument is all that remains to show the location of the bridge and the river. Today, Bashamichi Street adjoins Yoshida Bridge with the former settlement area of Kannai. On the other side of Yoshida Bridge is Isezakichō. The vicinity of Isezakicho was outside the Kanmon, and was called (meaning "outside the Kanmon"). Today, the name "Kangai" has lost its currency, while "Kannai" remains in popular use. The JR Kannai Station is based on this name. The Kannai district has seen a revival after the inauguration of the Minatomirai Line in 2004, with better connections to the popular Yokohama Station and Minato Mirai 21 regions. In recent years, due to a change in societal and economic conditions, old office and store buildings are being torn down, in favor of new condominiums; and this has presented challenges for city planning. Train stations Kannai Station (Keihin-Tōhoku Line—Negishi Line, Blue Line (Yokohama)) Ishikawachō Station (Keihin-Tōhoku Line—Negishi Line) Bashamichi Station (Minatomirai Line) Nihon-ōdōri Station (Minatomirai Line) Motomachi-Chūkagai Station (Minatomirai Line) See also Yokohama Osanbashi Pier Yokohama Marine Tower Yokohama Silk Museum Isezakichō References Sections of the article were translated from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved on December 30, 2006. External links Yokohama Customs House (nicknamed "Queen's Tower") Port Opening Memorial Hall (nicknamed "Jack's Tower") Kanagawa Prefectural Government (the main building is nicknamed "King's Tower") Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History NEWSPARK—Japan Newspaper Museum Naka-ku, Yokohama Neighborhoods of Yokohama