The Yokohama Museum of History, known in Japanese as Yokohama Kaiko Shiryokan (literally 'Yokohama Port Opening Documents Museum'), is a specialized history museum located in the Kannai district of Yokohama, Kanagawa. Established in 1981, the museum documents the transformation of Yokohama from a small fishing village into Japan's primary international port following the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854 and the formal opening of the port to foreign trade in 1859.
The museum is housed in a 1931 Western-style brick building in the former foreign settlement district — a structure that is itself an artifact of Yokohama's status as a center of Meiji- and Taisho-era cross-cultural exchange. The permanent collection focuses on the period from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century, with particular emphasis on the commercial, diplomatic, and social history of Japan's opening to Western trade after two centuries of near-total isolation (sakoku). The collection holds approximately 100,000 documents, photographs, maps, and artifacts, including primary sources of considerable significance for understanding Japan's Bakumatsu and Meiji eras.
Among the most notable exhibits are the original negotiating tables reportedly used during the 1854 Convention of Kanagawa signing — the treaty concluded between Commodore Matthew Perry and the Tokugawa Shogunate. Other significant holdings include early Meiji-period maps of the Yokohama foreign settlement, period photographs of the foreign residential and commercial districts, customs ledgers, and diplomatic correspondence. The photographic collection includes works by Felix Beato, one of the first Western photographers to work extensively in Japan.
The museum's curatorial approach is archival and documentary, favoring primary source materials over reconstructed displays. This makes it particularly valuable for researchers and visitors with a serious interest in Meiji-era history. Rotating temporary exhibitions complement the permanent collection, drawing regularly on the museum's manuscript and photographic archives to address specific aspects of Yokohama's cosmopolitan development.
The museum sits within walking distance of other Kannai historical landmarks including Yokohama Park and the Silk Museum, enabling visitors to construct a coherent tour of Yokohama's 19th-century international heritage in a single afternoon.
Why it matters
Documents Yokohama's transformation from fishing village to international port; houses the original tables from the Convention of Kanagawa signing
Location
35.4424, 139.6447 View on map
Highlights
- Original tables reportedly used during the 1854 Convention of Kanagawa signing, the treaty that ended Japan's sakoku isolation policy
- Collection of approximately 100,000 documents, photographs, and maps spanning Yokohama's 1859 port-opening era
- Photographs by Felix Beato, among the first Western photographers to document Meiji-era Japan
- 1931 Western-style brick building in the former Kannai foreign settlement — a physical artifact of Yokohama's cosmopolitan history
- Rotating temporary exhibitions drawing from rare diplomatic and commercial archival materials
Tips for visiting
- Budget 60–90 minutes for the permanent collection; the archival displays reward careful reading and repay a second pass
- Photography of exhibits is generally permitted for personal use — confirm at the reception desk on arrival
- Request the English-language brochure at the entrance; it covers the core exhibits and the significance of the Convention of Kanagawa
- Combine with a walk through the neighboring Kannai district to see surviving Meiji-era architecture in the streets immediately surrounding the museum
- The museum gift shop carries reproduction historical maps and period prints that make distinctive souvenirs unavailable elsewhere in the city
Frequently asked questions
Is the museum English-language friendly?
Core exhibits have bilingual Japanese/English panels, and an English-language brochure is available at the entrance. The most historically significant items — including the Convention of Kanagawa tables — are labelled in both languages, though coverage of individual photographs and documents varies.
How long does a full visit take?
The permanent collection takes most visitors 60 to 90 minutes to view thoroughly. Allow additional time if a temporary exhibition is running, as these typically occupy a separate gallery and can add another 30 to 45 minutes.
Is the museum suitable for children?
The museum's archival, document-heavy approach suits adults and older students with an interest in Japanese history. Younger children may find the displays less engaging than more interactive venues, though the historic photographs of 19th-century Yokohama are generally accessible to all ages.
Where is the museum located and how do visitors get there?
The museum is in the Kannai district of central Yokohama, a short walk from Kannai Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line) or Nihon Odori Station (Minatomirai Line). The surrounding streets form part of Yokohama's original foreign settlement area.