20 Museums in Nagasaki worth your time

This complex commemorates 26 Catholic martyrs executed in 1597, offering historical insight and unique architecture.

What it is

• Complex with a plaza, monument, museum, and church.
• Commemorates 26 Catholics executed in 1597.
• Opened in 1962 to mark 100th anniversary of canonization.
• Managed by the Society of Jesus.

What to see

• High-relief bronze sculpture of the 26 martyrs.
• St. Philip's Church with Gaudi-influenced spires and mosaics.
• Museum west wall with phoenix mosaic from broken tableware.
• Museum façade with stone walls, bamboo lattice, and prison-like pillars.
• Original letter from St. Francis Xavier to King John III of Portugal.
• Painting of the Virgin Mary, "Our Lady of the Snows."

When to go

• February 5, the anniversary of the executions.

Getting there

• Located on Nishizaka hill overlooking Nagasaki.

Address

〒850-0051 長崎市西坂町7番８号 Map

Official site

www.26martyrs.com

Read more about Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument

Explore Iki's ancient history and cultural treasures in a striking modern building.

What it is

• A museum storing and exhibiting local materials and excavated items.
• Opened on March 14, 2010.
• Jointly constructed by Nagasaki Prefecture and Iki City.

What to see

• Building designed by Kurokawa Kisho Architectural Urban Design Office.
• Four stories above ground, one basement floor, with a grass-covered roof.
• Important cultural properties from Yayoi and Kofun periods.
• Iki City designated cultural property: a pot with 4165 copper coins.
• Nagasaki Prefectural Buried Cultural Properties Center on the first floor.

Getting there

• Located near the Harunotsuji site.

Address

長崎県壱岐市芦辺町深江鶴亀触515-1 Map

Official site

www.iki-haku.jp

Read more about Iki City Ikikoku Museum

Explore ancient artifacts, including Yuan Dynasty treasures, at this archaeological center.

What it is

• An organization of the Matsuura City Board of Education.
• Collects and exhibits buried cultural properties and historical materials.
• Established by integrating two previous facilities.
• Has an attached underwater archaeology research center.

What to see

• Guidance facility displays artifacts found from the seabed.
• Main exhibits include Yuan Dynasty artifacts.
• A bronze seal discovered at Kōzaki Beach.
• The bronze seal is a prefectural tangible cultural property.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Address

859-4303 長崎県松浦市鷹島町神崎免146番地 Map

Official site

www.city-matsuura.jp

Read more about Matsuura City Archaeological Center

Explore Gotō's history, nature, and culture in a modern museum built on castle grounds.

What it is

• A museum of tourism and historical materials.
• Built in 1989 on Ishida Castle's second bailey.
• Located within the grounds of Ishida Castle.

What to see

• First floor has tourist information and a research room.
• Second floor displays historical and personal materials.
• Third floor displays nature, folk events, and biology.
• Third floor displays agriculture and fisheries information.

When to go

• Closed from December 29 to January 3.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Fukue Port.
• 10-minute drive from Fukue Airport.

Official site

www.city.goto.nagasaki.jp

Read more about Gotō Tourism and Historical Materials Museum

Explore a historic customs building, now a museum, showcasing Nagasaki's unique tortoiseshell crafts.

What it is

• A historic building in Nagasaki City.
• Completed in 1898 as a customs branch office.
• Designated a National Important Cultural Property.
• Now houses the Nagasaki City Bekko Crafts Museum.

What to see

• A brick, single-story, pseudo-Western style building.
• Hipped roof with tiles and symmetrical facade.
• Two arched entrances on the facade.
• Interior inspection area, warehouse, and office.
• Attached toilet and two brick fences.
• The land is also an Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Open to the public since 2002.

Official site

www.city.nagasaki.lg.jp

Read more about Former Nagasaki Customs Sagarimastu branch

A free museum in Hirado dedicated to Koxinga, a 17th-century leader, on his birthplace.

What it is

• A memorial museum in Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Opened in 2013 to honor Koxinga, a military leader.
• Built on the supposed site of Koxinga's residence.
• Koxinga was born in Hirado on August 27, 1624.

What to see

• Two buildings, one resembling Koxinga's birthplace.
• A Nagi tree, said to be planted by Koxinga.
• A Mazu statue, guardian deity of Chinese ships.
• Koxinga's mother and child statue, completed 2008.
• A replica of Koxinga's portrait is displayed.

When to go

• The Koxinga festival is held on July 14th.

Official site

teiseikokinenkan.com

Read more about Tei-Sei-Ko Memorial Museum

This museum explores Nagasaki's international trade history and its cultural impact on Japan.

What it is

• Museum opened in November 2005.
• Built on the former site of the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum.
• Examines cultural exchange between Japan and trading countries.
• Focuses on Nagasaki's role during national seclusion.

What to see

• Traditional façade of white-plaster walls on a stone base.
• Panels on the history of Christianity in Japan.
• Items related to the Hidden Christians.
• Recreation of the Nagasaki Magistrate’s Office.
• Reenactments of trials in the courtroom.
• Exhibits on Namban trade, Dutch, and Chinese influence.

Address

長崎県長崎市立山1-1-1 Map

Official site

www.nmhc.jp

Read more about Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture

Explore the collections of a business magnate and local history at this memorial hall.

What it is

• A memorial hall for Matsunaga Yasuzaemon.
• Opened in July 1971.
• Also known as Matsunaga Memorial Hall.
• Operated by Iki City.

What to see

• Displays Matsunaga Yasuzaemon's collections.
• Exhibits archaeological materials.
• Features a local history museum.
• Busts of Matsunaga Yasuzaemon and his wife.
• A Nishi-Tetsu Fukuoka City Line train car is displayed.

When to go

• Closed on Wednesdays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Getting there

• About a 10-minute walk from Indoji Port.

Read more about Matsunaga Yasuzaemon Memorial Hall

This museum offers an overview of Tsushima's history and its interactions with mainland Asia.

What it is

• Museum offering an overview of Tsushima's history.
• Covers history from Jomon period to contemporary times.
• Focuses on interaction between Tsushima and mainland Asia.

What to see

• Late seventeenth-century map of the island.
• Ancient earthenware fragments, arrowheads, axe blades, glass beads.
• Reproductions of ceremonial bronze spearheads (hoko) to touch.
• Korean pottery acquired by Tsushima's traders.
• Documents describing the island’s commercial relations.
• Official seals and correspondence forged by the So family.

Address

〒817-0021　長崎県対馬市厳原町今屋敷668-2 Map

Official site

tsushimamuseum.jp

Read more about Tsushima Museum

Explore ancient Jomon artifacts, including rare shell bracelets, at this free history museum.

What it is

• A museum and historical research facility.
• Collects and displays historical and folk materials.
• Opened in April 1988.
• Co-located with Mine Administrative Service Center.

What to see

• Artifacts from Jomon to early modern periods.
• Items from Yanbe site and Saka shell mound.
• A rare archaeological deer whistle.
• Shell bracelets made from southern and northern shells.
• Saga Shell Mound items are national cultural properties.

Getting there

• About one hour by car from Izuhara Port.

Official site

www.city.tsushima.nagasaki.jp

Read more about Mine History and Folk Customs Museum

Nagasaki museum honoring Philipp Franz von Siebold, a doctor who introduced Western science to Japan.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Nagasaki City.
• Opened on October 1, 1989.
• Honors Philipp Franz von Siebold's achievements.

What to see

• Building mimics Siebold's former home in Leiden.
• Entrance mimics Siebold's grandfather's former home.
• Permanent and special exhibition rooms.
• 31 items are national Important Cultural Properties.
• Next to the Narutaki Juku site.

When to go

• Open 9:00 to 17:00.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Shinnakagawamachi tram stop.

Address

長崎県長崎市鳴滝2丁目7番40号 Map

Official site

www.city.nagasaki.lg.jp

Read more about Siebold Memorial Museum

This memorial hall commemorates the Mt. Unzen eruption, offering exhibits and a cafe.

What it is

• A facility built by Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Opened July 1, 2002, renovated April 1, 2018.
• Commemorates the 1990-1996 Mt. Unzen eruption disaster.

What to see

• Two-floor building with free and paid spaces.
• Exhibition corners and a media library.
• Shop and cafe are available.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 to 18:00.

Getting there

• Nearest bus stop is Arena Iriguchi.
• Located near National Routes 57 and 251.
• Free parking for 400 cars and 20 buses.

Address

〒855-0879　長崎県島原市平成町1-1 Map

Official site

www.udmh.or.jp

Read more about Mt. Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall

Explore samurai history in a historic residence, showcasing the Matsura family's legacy and cultural treasures.

What it is

• A registered museum in Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Opened in October 1955.
• Dedicated to the Matsura family's history.
• Built on the site of an early Edo period Matsura residence.

What to see

• The main exhibition hall, Chitosekaku, built in 1893.
• A Nagasaki Prefecture Designated Tangible Cultural Property building.
• Approximately 30,000 historical items.
• Collection includes armor, paintings, and tea ceremony tools.
• A National Important Cultural Property armor.
• A separate tearoom called Kanuntei.

Address

〒859-5152　長崎県平戸市鏡川町12 Map

Official site

www.matsura.or.jp

Read more about Matsura Historical Museum

Explore Japan's industrial past and a WWII-bombed building at this World Heritage museum.

What it is

• A corporate museum in Nagasaki, Japan.
• Opened in October 1985 as a historical museum.
• Originally a wooden pattern factory built in 1898.
• A component of 'Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution'.

What to see

• The building is a World Heritage site.
• It is a preserved bombed building from WWII.
• Oldest Japanese machine tool, a cultural property.
• Japan's first domestically produced land steam turbine.
• Exhibits related to the battleship Musashi.
• Japan's first marine gas turbine engine.

Official site

www.mhi.com

Read more about Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works Historical Museum

A picture book museum in Nagasaki, showcasing original children's book illustrations in a charming brick building.

What it is

• A picture book museum in Nagasaki.
• Operated by Douwakan, a children's book specialty store.

What to see

• A brick-style building with a front garden.
• First floor: children's book store and museum shop.
• Second and third floors: museum exhibition rooms.
• Permanent and special exhibitions of original illustrations.

When to go

• Open 10:00 to 17:30, last admission 17:00.
• Closed on Mondays.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Ouratenshudo tram stop.

Official site

www.douwakan.co.jp

Read more about Inori-no-Oka Picture Book Museum

A free museum on Tsushima's history, folklore, and nature, near Korea.

What it is

• A museum and history research facility.
• Collects and stores historical and folk materials.
• Conducts research on collected materials.
• Exhibits some of its stored materials.

What to see

• Excavated artifacts from national historic sites.
• Folk materials like fishing and farming tools.
• Exhibits introducing local animals.
• Located at the northernmost tip of Tsushima.
• 49.5km from Korea across the sea.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Hitakatsu Port.

Official site

www.city.tsushima.nagasaki.jp

Read more about Kamitsushima History and Folklore Reference Room

Explore Japan's naval history at this free museum, showcasing artifacts from the Imperial and Self-Defense Forces.

What it is

• A museum operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
• Exhibits materials from the JMSDF and Imperial Japanese Navy.
• Opened in its current location on March 10, 1997.
• Known by its nickname, "Sail Tower."

What to see

• Seven floors of exhibits.
• Approximately 1,300 historical items on permanent display.
• First and second floors reuse parts of the Sasebo Suikokai building.

When to go

• Closed on the third Thursday of each month.

Official site

www.mod.go.jp

Read more about JMSDF Sasebo Museum

Explore music history at this unique museum with 160,000 records and Edison's phonograph.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to sound and music history.
• Houses 160,000 analog records, including SP records.
• Founded by Eichiro Kurihara as a private facility.
• Opened in a former school building.

What to see

• A phonograph invented by Thomas Edison.
• Collection of rock, jazz, and classical LPs.
• Recordings of speeches by Hideki Tojo.
• Pre-war news recordings.

When to go

• Open from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Closed on Thursdays.

Official site

onyoku.org

Read more about Sound Shower Museum

Koryo Museum: a 1987 museum in historic buildings, displaying Korean artifacts and Buddhist treasures.

What it is

• A museum constructed in 1987.
• Uses the historic buildings of Sungkyunkwan.
• Registered as a World Heritage site in 2013.

What to see

• 12 main buildings and 6 annexes.
• About 1,000 historical artifacts are exhibited.
• Exhibits include metal movable type printing and celadon.
• A bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.
• About 8,000 volumes of Buddhist books.
• An 8.64-meter tall 7-story stone pagoda from Hyonhwa Temple.

Official site

kouraihakubutsukan.org

Read more about Koryo Museum

This free museum in Tsushima showcases local history, from ancient artifacts to whaling culture.

What it is

• A museum and research facility.
• Collects and preserves historical and folk materials.
• Opened in April 1991.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• Exhibits of archaeological materials.
• Korean bronze ware and broad bronze spears.
• Magatama and Shotoku koban.
• Materials related to whaling.

Getting there

• About 40 minutes by car from Izuhara Port.
• About 40 minutes by bus from Tsushima Airport.

Official site

www.city.tsushima.nagasaki.jp

Read more about Toyotama Town Local Museum