What are the opening hours of the Yokohama Archives of History Museum?

The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday), the day after national holidays, and from December 29 to January 3.

Is photography allowed inside the museum?

Photography is prohibited inside the exhibition areas. Photography may be allowed in certain outdoor spaces around the museum grounds.

Are there English guides or audio guides available?

The museum provides English pamphlets and some English signage, but most detailed explanations are in Japanese only. English audio guides are not available.

Can I access the museum's research library as a regular visitor?

The research library requires advance reservation and is intended for academic researchers. General visitors cannot access it during a standard museum visit. Contact the museum in advance to inquire about research access.

Yokohama Archives of History Museum

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The Yokohama Archives of History Museum stands on the historic site where Commodore Matthew Perry first landed in 1854 to negotiate the opening of Japan to international trade. Located in the Kannai district near Yamashita Park, this museum occupies a building that incorporates parts of the former British Consulate, which operated here from 1931 to 1972. The museum opened in 1981 to preserve and present the story of Yokohama's transformation from a small fishing village to Japan's second-largest city and a major international port.

The museum's permanent collection focuses on Yokohama's role as the gateway through which Western culture entered Japan during the late Edo and Meiji periods. Exhibits include original documents from the 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa, rare photographs showing the city's development, and artifacts illustrating daily life during the port's early years. The museum also displays items related to the foreign settlement that existed in Yokohama from 1859 to 1899, providing insight into the cultural exchange between Japanese residents and foreign merchants, diplomats, and missionaries.

Visitors can explore approximately 2,300 square meters of exhibition space across multiple floors. The displays combine historical documents, scale models of old Yokohama, and multimedia presentations that explain key events in the city's history. A highlight is the recreation of a street scene from the foreign settlement period, complete with period architecture and furnishings. The museum also houses a research library with over 250,000 historical materials, though access requires advance arrangement.

The museum is located a 3-minute walk from Nihon Odori Station on the Minato Mirai Line, making it easily accessible from central Yokohama and Tokyo. From Kannai Station on the JR Negishi Line, it takes approximately 10 minutes on foot. Admission costs ¥200 for adults, with discounted rates for students and seniors. The museum is closed on Mondays and during the New Year holiday period.

What other travelers are saying about Yokohama Archives of History Museum

A museum on Yokohama's history, mostly centered on the 19th century when the city opened up to other countries. I was able to learn a lot of things thanks to the detailed explanations. I recommend this museum if you want to learn more about how Yokohama, like other Japanese cities, became a hub of entry for western culture in Japan at the time.

Léa Pailley

Nov 19, 2025

friendly and helpful staff in answering my enquiries and my purchases of books and maps. I hope I can come back again for future special exhibitions

Such a great place to visit to learn about Yokohama history but very little English explanation in detail. It seems like they want foreigners to know very little about Yokohama history. .. I use Google translator to read all details in Japanese. hope to see more Enlish explanation.

A very small museum with historical tree in the garden. The story of the tree and pictures are wonderful.

Very nice and beautiful building. The museum shop is excellent. Beautiful postcards in a very good price.