Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture

The Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture opened on November 3, 2005, in Suwa-no-Mori. Built on the former site of the Tateyama Magistrate’s Office (Nagasaki Bugyosho), the museum partially reconstructs this Edo-period government complex based on historical documents and archaeological research. It serves as a central institution for exploring Nagasaki’s distinctive history as Japan’s gateway to overseas exchange.

Established jointly by Nagasaki Prefecture and Nagasaki City, the museum represents a rare cooperative model in Japan. It houses historical materials from former prefectural and municipal collections, including early artworks and archival documents.

Over two decades, the museum has hosted more than 200 exhibitions. It also contributes to cultural preservation and regional revitalisation through conservation work and community engagement.

Focus and Exhibitions

The museum is dedicated to the theme of Nagasaki’s international exchange history. Its permanent exhibition area consists of two main zones:

History and Cultural Exchange Zone – This section traces Nagasaki’s global connections from the Age of Exploration through exchanges with Portugal, the Netherlands, China, and Korea, and into the late Edo and Meiji periods. Topics include Nanban trade, Christianity, Dejima and Dutch studies (Rangaku), trade with China and Korea, and the modernisation of Japan. Displays include historical documents, artworks, trade goods, and craft objects that reflect Nagasaki’s multicultural heritage. 

Nagasaki Magistrate’s Office Zone – A reconstructed portion of the Tateyama Magistrate’s Office illustrates the administrative, judicial, diplomatic, and trade-related functions carried out under the Tokugawa shogunate. Exhibits introduce official records such as criminal registers (Hankacho), materials related to the suppression of Christianity, and the role of successive magistrates. A restored courtroom space (Shirasu) hosts short dramatic reenactments on Sundays to illustrate Edo-period trials and investigations.

Mission and Activities

Nicknamed “Rekibun” (a contraction of “history” and “culture”), the museum emphasises both Nagasaki’s historical experience and its unique cultural development. Its guiding principles center on exchange, collaboration, and discovery.

Beyond exhibitions, the museum conducts a wide range of programs:

• Public lectures and seminars on Nagasaki history and cultural heritage

• Traditional culture programs, including performing arts and craft events

• Children’s workshops and clubs that promote local history and cultural pride

• Outreach initiatives, including traveling exhibitions and workshops in remote areas

• Volunteer programs supporting interpretation, education, preservation, and foreign-language services

The museum also functions as a research hub for “Nagasaki Studies”, collaborating with domestic and international institutions.

Entry to the Museum building is free. Separate admission fees are required to visit the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.