This monograph explores a category of public facility in Japan, the 'culture hall' [bunka kaikan). It is based on ethnographic fieldwork at a culture hall in Niigata named 'Niigata Residents' Performing Arts and Culture Hall "Ryutopia"'. In this thesis bunka ('culture') is discussed as a multi-vocal symbol. The understandings of ''bunka" held and represented symbolically by Ryutopia's staff are outlined.