Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture (’·θ—πŽj•Ά‰»”Ž•¨ŠΩ, 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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    • Nagasaki Kagamiya
      Budget-friendly
      Nagasaki Kagamiya offers dorm beds and private Japanese rooms, a 5-minute walk from Hotarujaya Tram Station. It features a garden and a cosy shared lounge with free WiFi and a free-use internet pc. Ladiesf kimono rentals are available. Private rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor, on which guests sleep in traditional futon bedding. Shared dormitory rooms come with bunk beds. Toilets and bathrooms are shared.
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    • Nisshokan Bettei Koyotei
      Luxury
      Nisshokan Bettei Koyotei is located in the Nagasaki Area, a 10-minute drive from Nagasaki Peace Park. Featuring views of the beautiful Nagasaki, it offers a public bath and free parking. Bettei Koyotei Nisshokan is a 15-minute drive from Glover Garden. JR Nagasaki Train Station is a 5-minute drive from the hotel, and a free shuttle is provided. The Japanese-style guestrooms offer both air-conditioning and heating facilities, and an en suite bathroom. Each room is equipped with a fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and a TV with cable channels. Guests can take a relaxing bath while enjoying the views of Nagasaki. There is a gift shop on-site. A Japanese breakfast set can be enjoyed in rooms. Drinks can be purchased from the vending machine on-site.
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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. Featuring a spa and wellness centre, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around 500 metres from 26 Martyrs Museum and around less than 1 km from Fukusaiji Temple. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the hotel. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 2.5 km from Hilton Nagasaki, while Peace Park is 3.1 km away. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 39 km from the accommodation.
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    • Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae
      Luxury
      Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae is set in Nagasaki, 3 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 3.6 km from Peace Park. 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. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae provides a range of facilities such as a spa and wellness centre including a sauna. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki Museum of History and Fukusaiji Temple. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae.
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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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    • hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI
      Mid-range
      Hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI features a shared lounge, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Nagasaki. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.3 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI each room comes with bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers a buffet or American breakfast. Popular points of interest near hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI include Nagasaki Station, Oura Catholic Church and Glover Garden. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from the hotel.
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    • ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel is located in Nagasaki, within 2.6 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 3.2 km of Peace Park. 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. All rooms are fitted with a kettle, while 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 ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Nagasaki Museum of History, 26 Martyrs Museum and Fukusaiji Temple. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 39 km from ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel.
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    • FAV LUX Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Set 2.1 km from Nagasaki Station, FAV LUX Nagasaki offers 4-star accommodation in Nagasaki and has a restaurant. The property is around 2.6 km from Nagasaki Museum of History, 4.7 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 5.3 km from Peace Park. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Guest rooms at the hotel come with a seating area. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, all guest rooms at FAV LUX Nagasaki have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms also feature a terrace. At the accommodation the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at FAV LUX Nagasaki can enjoy a continental breakfast. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Oura Catholic Church, Glover Garden and Inorinooka Picture Book Museum. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from FAV LUX Nagasaki.
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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. Please note that renovation of Fifth floor is going on from 10:00 to 17:00 daily and some rooms may be affected by noise.
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    • Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
      Luxury
      Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is located in Nagasaki, 4 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 4.6 km from Peace Park. 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 1.6 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. The accommodation offers a range of wellness facilities including a sauna, a hot tub and a spa centre. Speaking English and Japanese, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical information on the area at the 24-hour front desk. Popular points of interest near Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown include Nagasaki Museum of History, Oura Catholic Church and Glover Garden. Nagasaki Airport is 38 km away.
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