Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration
Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration 維新ふるさと館
Jake Davies
1868 is the year that is considered to be when Japan's modern period begins. Usually called the Meiji Restoration, because ostensibly an emperor-centered political structure was restored after more than two centuries of rule by the Tokugawa samurai clan.
A variety of problems had been troubling Japan for decades, but the flash-point that ignited the change was the arrival of the American "Black Ships" of Commodore Perry. The overthrow of the ruling Tokugawa was led mostly by two large samurai clans from the west of Japan. These were the Choshu from what is now Yamaguchi Prefecture centered on the domain capital of Hagi, and the Satsuma from what is now Kagoshima.
Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration
First floor of the Meiji Restoration Museum in Kagoshima
Exhibits
Reopened in 2018 after extensive refurbishment, the Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration (Ishin Furusato Kan) delves into the history of this turbulent time and the part played by the men and women of Satsuma.
Most of the changes and improvements at the museum seem to focus on making the experience more interactive and entertaining. A big, new exhibit is on the kind of education Satsuma samurai children received, the most famous of whom is obviously the larger than life Saigo Takamori, who features in many exhibits.
Other major persons of the time from Satsuma are also covered, including Princess Atsuhime, the local girl who married the Shogun, and who gets her own room in the museum.
Satsuma's relationship with the West, particularly with Britain, is covered: Kagoshima was bombarded by the Royal Navy in 1863, but soon good relations were established. While it was still forbidden by the Shogunate, the domain sent a group of samurai students to England for studies. In addition the Satsuma military had received a lot of British weapons through trade.
Another room covers the various historical TV dramas, called Taiga Drama in Japanese, that have been about the Meiji Restoration in Satsuma, and scenes from some can be viewed.
Test your sumo strength against Saigo Takamori, one of the fun, interactive displays
The museum also features standard history museum displays
Downstairs are further exhibits and the large circular theater space where two shows featuring light and sound and life-size animatronics. Road to the Restoration and Satsuma Students go West are both about twenty minutes long and alternate throughout the day. Very popular at busy times, seats can be pre-reserved.
The museum is probably best appreciated if you already have some basic knowledge about the subject. There is limited English information on the displays, though handouts in various languages are available. Also audio sound tracks in various languages are available for the video presentations and the shows.
The large theater where shows are performed throughout the day
A reconstructed samurai house outside the Museum of the Meiji Restoration
Nearby
In each direction from the museum along the riverbank is a pleasant walk lined with cherry trees where there are numerous sites connected to the history of the Meiji Restoration in Kagoshima, known as the Ishin Walk.
You can pick up walking maps that show you the route which also heads into the surrounding neighborhood. Immediately adjacent to the museum is a reconstruction of a traditional samurai house that can be entered.
Access - Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration
Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration
23-1 Kajiya-cho, Kagoshima-shi
Kagoshima 892-0846
Tel: 099 239 7700
Open from 9 am to 5 pm, everyday.
Admission: 300 yen for adults, 150 yen for children.
The museum is an 8 minute walk from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station or 3 minutes from the nearest tram stop Takamibashi. The Kagoshima City View Bus also stops in front of the museum.
Accessible by Kagoshima tram from Kagoshima Chuo Station to either Takamibashi or Kajiya-cho tram stop.
Hotels In Kagoshima
The area around Kagoshima Chuo Station has many hotels including the Hotel Gastof, the Hotel Urbic Kagoshima, the Toyoko Inn Kagoshima Chuo-eki Nishi-guchi, the JR Kyushu Hotel Kagoshima Hotel and the APA Hotel Kagoshima Chuo-Ekimae.
Book Hotel Accommodation in Kagoshima Japan
Guide Books on Japan
Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration explores the history of this overthrow of the Tokugawa and the part played by the men and women of Satsuma.
