The center was opened on May 1, 2003, and contains a hotel, restaurants, an art museum, conference rooms, and the offices of several international organizations.

Since 2004, Toki Messe has been the site of home games for the Niigata Albirex Basketball Team.

Toki Messe is the tallest building on the Sea of Japan, and has an observation deck on the 31st floor where one can view the areas in and around Niigata.

The complex is named after the toki, the official bird of Niigata Prefecture.

There is a Niigata Kotsu "Sado-Kisen Line" bus stop 'Toki Messe'.