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Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture (’·è—ðŽj•¶‰»”Ž•¨ŠÙ, Nagasaki Rekishi Bunka Hakubutsukan) is a well-executed, modern museum dedicated to Nagasaki's history as one of Japan's major international trading ports. The fairly large, permanent exhibition is spread over two floors and is comprised of various sections, each focusing on a different facet of Nagasaki's rich history.

During the Edo Period the Japanese government adopted isolationism, effectively cutting the country off from the rest of the world. At this time, Nagasaki became one of the only ports where international trade was permitted, namely with the Chinese and Dutch. This temporarily made the city Japan's main window to the outside world and allowed a rich economy, culture and history to flourish.

The museum has a section each dedicated to telling the story of Japan's relationship with its three main trading partners of the era: China, the Netherlands and Korea. The history of these relationships is recounted through the exhibition of artifacts, including tools, art pieces and documents, as well as through diagrams and dioramas depicting trade routes and city districts where foreign traders lived.

Being one of the only ports open to foreign trade, Nagasaki was controlled directly by the shogun during the Edo Period. A magistrate served as his representative in the city and undertook various duties. One of the museum's most impressive features is the reconstruction of the former Magistrate's Office. This beautiful wing of the museum is done in traditional Japanese style reminiscent of past centuries. In addition to a grand and spacious tatami room where the magistrate received dignitaries, there is also an interrogation room and court where smugglers and other criminals were dealt with.

The museum's other sections include a gallery showcasing arts and crafts influenced by Nagasaki's cosmopolitanism. The collection includes porcelain, lacquerware and blue shell works influenced by both domestic and foreign aesthetics. There is also an exhibition that reveals what life was like in Nagasaki for city dwellers during the height of the port's trading, and a section focusing on the development of technology. Temporary exhibitions are held on the third floor of the museum.

Getting there and around

Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture is located a 15 minute walk from Nagasaki Station or a five minute walk from Sakuramachi tram stop on line 3, one stop from Nagasaki Station.

How to get to and around Nagasaki

Hours and Fees

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Nagasaki

Top rated in Nagasaki
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    • i + Land Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Renovated in April 2018, i + Land Nagasaki is 18.5 km or a 40-minute drive from Nagasaki Station. A hot spring bath, sauna, garden and kids area are available for guests. The property provides a 24-hour front desk. An Asian breakfast is served daily at the property. Guests can make use of the sauna. Cycling is among the activities that guests can enjoy near the resort. Nagasaki Museum of History is 11 km from i + Land Nagasaki, while Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 11 km from the property. Nagasaki Airport is 27 km away.
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    • Hilton Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Located 400 metres from Nagasaki Station, Hilton Nagasaki offers 5-star accommodation in Nagasaki and features a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. This 5-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.4 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a TV and a private bathroom with a shower. All units include a wardrobe. Guests at Hilton Nagasaki can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The accommodation offers 5-star accommodation with a spa centre. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 2.8 km from Hilton Nagasaki, while Peace Park is 3.4 km away. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 39 km from the hotel.
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    • ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 2-star accommodation, ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel is located in Nagasaki, less than 1 km from Nagasaki Museum of History and 3.1 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. This 2-star hostel offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 300 metres from Nagasaki Station. Some rooms come with a kitchen with a stovetop. At the hostel all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 2-star hostel. Peace Park is 3.7 km from ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel, while Oura Catholic Church is 2.5 km away. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 39 km from the accommodation.
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    • Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae
      Luxury
      Featuring 4-star accommodation, Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae is set in Nagasaki, 400 metres from Nagasaki Station and less than 1 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. At Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna and spa centre. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 3 km from the hotel, while Peace Park is 3.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae.
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    • GRAND BASE Nagasaki
      Mid-range
      Situated within 1.8 km of Nagasaki Station and 1.9 km of Nagasaki Museum of History in Nagasaki, GRAND BASE Nagasaki features accommodation with free WiFi and seating area. Every unit has a private bathroom and bidet, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a fridge. There is also a microwave, stovetop and a kettle. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Oura Catholic Church, Glover Garden and Minato Park. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from GRAND BASE Nagasaki.
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    • GRAND BASE Nagasaki Chukagai
      Mid-range
      Located in Nagasaki, near Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki Museum of History and Oura Catholic Church, GRAND BASE Nagasaki Chukagai features free WiFi. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. A fridge and microwave are also provided, as well as a kettle. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Glover Garden, Minato Park and Nagasaki Dejima. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from GRAND BASE Nagasaki Chukagai.
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    • hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI
      Mid-range
      Located in Nagasaki and with Nagasaki Museum of History reachable within 1.3 km, hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI provides concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 3.9 km from the hotel and Peace Park is 4.6 km away. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. The units include a safety deposit box. Breakfast is available daily, and includes buffet, continental and American options. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Nagasaki Station, Oura Catholic Church and Glover Garden. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI.
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    • Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
      Luxury
      Featuring 4-star accommodation, Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is located in Nagasaki, 1.6 km from Nagasaki Museum of History and 4 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Featuring a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.5 km from Nagasaki Station. The units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. At Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna, hot tub and spa centre. Around-the-clock information is available at the reception, where staff speak English, Japanese and Korean. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Oura Catholic Church, Glover Garden and Nagasaki Dejima. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown.
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    • GRAND BASE Nagasaki City
      Mid-range
      Set within 200 metres of Nagasaki Museum of History and less than 1 km of Nagasaki Station in Nagasaki, GRAND BASE Nagasaki City offers accommodation with free WiFi and seating area. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. A fridge, a microwave and stovetop are also offered, as well as a kettle. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 3.5 km from the aparthotel, while Peace Park is 4.1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 36 km from GRAND BASE Nagasaki City.
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    • THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Featuring massage services, 3 restaurants and a concierge, THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki is situated right outside Takaramachi Tram Station, which is the 2nd station from Nagasaki Station. WiFi is accessible in all areas of the hotel and rooms include a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV. Guests at THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki stay in contemporary rooms with a fridge and safe with complimentary green and black teas. The private bathroom has a bathtub and toiletries, while pajamas are provided. JR Nagasaki Train Station is an 8-minute walk away. Guests can also take a sight-seeing bus from the front side of this hotel. Nagasaki Peace Park and Urakami Cathedral are 10-minutes away via car, while Nagasaki Airport is a 50-minute ride away on the express bus service. The Kitchen boasts 15th floor views of Nagasaki City and serves a sumptuous Japanese and Western breakfast buffet comprised from over 40 different dishes. Coffee and snacks are served at Cafe de Bijoux.
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