Top Things to do in Kyushu
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What to do and see in Kyushu, Kyushu: The Best History Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Kyushu, Japan including Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, 26 Martyrs Museum, Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, Saga Castle Hommaru History Museum, Chiran Peace Museum, Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History, Seiwa Bunraku Museum, Oita Prefectural Museum of History, Chikuzenmachi Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum, Kitazato Shibasaburo Memorial Museum.
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1. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,992 reviews
Jarring, horrific reminders of the devastation caused by the August 9, 1945 bombing of Nagasaki fill this historic and educational museum, which traces events preceding the bombing, the resulting destruction and the city’s restoration.
Reviewed By Rumples - Tucson, United States
A friend and I visited this moving museum on a weekday morning in early October. We had come to see how Nagasaki portrayed the effects of the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bomb drop on the city. The curators have chosen to tell a story, presenting Nagasaki before the bomb fell; immediately after the explosion; and today. They weave explanations of historical details within the story and show what happened through photos, videos, artifacts and much more. The conclusion focuses on the need for peace and the end of nuclear weapons, made abundantly clear by the bomb's destruction of the city and the killing of at least 74,000 people. Those, who survived, would often have to endure physical ailments from the radiation and psychological trauma. As soon as I entered the exhibition hall, I felt uneasy, looking at a giant black-and- white photo of Nagasaki as it appeared before the bomb fell. That's because I knew what would be ahead for the thriving city. A recovered wall clock frozen at 11:02 a.m. soon appeared, marking the exact time that the horrors began. Displays feature English descriptions and include photos of the atomic wasteland that Nagasaki became, along with stories of that fateful day from survivors, including heroic rescue work. Artifacts damaged from the flash of heat range from a 14-year-old girl's lunch box with rice charred from the fire to six green glass bottles melted at the top and stuck together, which were found in a store's ruins. A helmet with the remains of a skull inside is one of the more grisly items. I found information on the bomb itself to be especially interesting. A life-size model of the one used on Nagasaki is displayed and called "Fat Man," because of its appearance. A video shows the military loading Fat Man and transporting it to the plane for the mission. There is also a photo taken from the plane that shows the mushroom cloud rising into the sky after the blast. We went through the relatively small museum in about 1 hour. It cost 200 Y (about $1.89 U.S.) to enter. A corridor leads from the museum to the adjacent Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. There is no fee to enter the Memorial Hall. Both are located near ground zero for the blast and the Nagasaki Peace Park. To reach the museum, we took the blue line to the Matsuyamamachi tram stop and then walked for about 4 minutes.
2. 26 Martyrs Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By Luvingmywine
This was enlightening and educational on what happened when Christianity was banned from Japan. To maximize your experience, i recommend watching the movie "Silence" before hand to grasp an insight into the why and what happened during the persecution era. Even if you are not Catholic or Christian, it is still an interesting part of Nagasaki's history.
3. Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture is one of the few museums in Japan dedicated to the history of international exchange. The Museum holds approximately 81,000 objects in its precious collection, including historical documents, art and craftworks that tell the story of Nagasaki, the sole window open to foreign countries during the period of Japan’s national isolation. In addition, part of the Nagasaki Magistrate's Office (a local agency of the central government in the Edo period) has been faithfully reconstructed based on historical materials, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of feudal Japan. The exhibits are displayed to ensure an instructive and enjoyable experience. Come and spend meaningful time learning about the history and culture of Nagasaki.
Reviewed By meikemccaw
I visited the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture during my tour with Huber Tomodachi Guide. My guides were so friendly and kind and knew a lot about Nagasaki history! They taught me a lot and brought me to this museum. Since we went on the weekend, we were able to enjoy a historical play that was free with the regular admission ticket (which is fairly priced). The play was in Japanese, yet I still found it very entertaining and educational despite my lack of Japanese language ability. The staff here work hard to help you make the most of your experience which I appreciate a lot. There is so much valuable information in this museum about Nagasaki's rich and diverse past! I highly recommend!
4. Saga Castle Hommaru History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
This museum building is a faithful reconstruction of the Saga Castle main palace, built by the tenth domain lord Nabeshima Naomasa in 1838. It was rebuilt based on archaeological findings, old photographs, and diagrams from the Edo Period. Only one-third of the original complex has been restored, but it is still the largest scale wooden building restoration project in Japan, and the first restoration of a castle’s main palace. More than 700 tatami mats cover the floor of this museum, and in this vast space, many exhibits introducing Saga in the 19th century can be seen in the form of historical materials, footage and models. You will find that this museum is completely flat; this is because it was originally designed as a flat-structured building on one level in the Edo Period. Now, allow yourself to slip back in time to Saga during the Edo Period. Please enjoy your visit.
Reviewed By 30milenag - Warsaw, Poland
Beautiful and worth seeing place with very nice staff, audio tour in English for free. Must see in Saga.
5. Chiran Peace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 698 reviews
Reviewed By Hsakamotojapanvisit
My sons and I went to Japan to visit my home country and home town Kagoshima. While there we decided to take a trip to Chiran to visit the Samurai town and the Peace museum at the same time. I was especially interested in visiting the Peace museum since my uncle told me of my Grandmother’s picture was among the phots displayed. This place had certain aura about it since so many young men were sent from there to their certain death. One item that reminded me how terrible war is was the reconstructed Zero place that crashed into sea while attacking one of the US ships. How it was covered in hundreds of holes which surely came from anti aircraft guns on US ships. I was looking for the photos of my grandmother in hundreds of photos that were there. Lo and behold, I found few with her in the background and she looked to be in her 40s. I just remember her in her 70s bedridden and in poor health. It was quite a moving experience. Needless to say, the museum is quite a special place to visit and it was wonderful.
6. Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Wingfield73 - Chiang Mai, Thailand
The Prefecture museum is a model of its type and specialises in the geological and animal life of the province. The friendly staff at the reception hand out a comprehensive guide in English but the explanations on the exhibits themselves are clear. There is a presentation on volcanic activity aimed at children but I found it informative even if it was in Japanese. Well worth spending an hour there.
7. Seiwa Bunraku Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
"Bunraku" is one of traditional Japanese performing arts.Regular performances will be held on the second Sunday and the fourth Sunday. Please enjoy the Japanese traditional culture.
8. Oita Prefectural Museum of History
9. Chikuzenmachi Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
