Nagasaki Museum of History

The Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture (長崎歴史文化博物館, Nagasaki Rekishi Bunka Hakubutsukan) offers a fascinating look at the city’s history as a vital international trading port. The museum’s vast, two-story permanent exhibition explores various aspects of Nagasaki’s past, from the Edo Period's isolationist policies to its role as Japan’s only port open to foreign trade. With sections dedicated to Nagasaki's trading relationships with China, the Netherlands, and Korea, the museum showcases artifacts, art, documents, and intricate dioramas depicting trade routes and foreign districts.

One of the highlights of the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture is the beautifully reconstructed Magistrate's Office, a traditional Japanese building that provides insight into the administrative side of the port during the Edo Period. In addition to exploring trade, the museum also highlights the city's cosmopolitan culture, showcasing art and crafts influenced by both domestic and foreign aesthetics. With temporary exhibitions and displays on technological advancements, the museum offers a complete view of Nagasaki's rich and diverse history.