Shimameshiya Hokuto
Kasumaki: A celebratory sweet passed down in Tsushima since the Edo period.
What is Tsushima Museum?
The Tsushima Museum is a comprehensive cultural institution located on the border island of Tsushima, situated between Kyushu and South Korea. The museum covers the island’s nature, history, culture, and art, showcasing Tsushima’s unique role as a historical crossroads for active exchange between the Korean Peninsula, continental Asia, and mainland Japan from ancient times to the modern era.
Opened on April 30, 2022, in Izuhara-machi, the facility functions as a central hub for tourism on the island. The property consists of two main three-story buildings. The “Museum Zone” (approx. 4,100 square meters) houses the permanent exhibition rooms, while the “Exchange Zone” (approx. 840 square meters) features an open entrance hall, a museum shop, and hands-on workshops. Its location near Izuhara Port makes it a convenient first stop for visitors arriving on the island.
Highlights of Tsushima Museum
The museum’s main highlight is its collection of rare historical materials, including a selection of documents from the “So Family Papers” which are the official administrative and diplomatic records left by the lords of the Tsushima Domain. The entire archive comprises approximately 72,000 items, and its research and preservation form a core part of the museum’s mission.
The permanent exhibition is divided into five distinct spaces. It utilizes archaeological artifacts excavated from around the island alongside video installations and animations to present Tsushima’s chronological history in an accessible format. The museum also displays biological specimens of wildlife unique to Tsushima.
Additionally, the adjacent “Tsushima Joseon Tongsinsa History Museum” focuses specifically on Japan’s relationship with the Joseon diplomatic missions. This section features a reconstruction of the diplomatic procession, materials related to the scholar Amenomori Hoshu, and detailed scale models of the diplomatic ships and the Wakan (the Japanese trading enclave in Busan).
The adjacent “Tsushima Joseon Tongsinsa History Museum” displays materials on diplomatic missions, scholar Amenomori Hoshu, and models of diplomatic ships and the Wakan trading enclave.
How to Enjoy Your Visit
Located within walking distance of central Izuhara, the museum is best utilized as a starting point for a trip to Tsushima. Visitors can begin in the permanent exhibition room of the Museum Zone to get a chronological overview of the island’s history before exploring outdoor sites.
The primary focus for history enthusiasts is the diplomatic documentation detailing trade and foreign relations between the Tsushima Domain and the Korean Peninsula from the Edo period through the Meiji era. The special exhibition room also hosts temporary curated exhibitions about twice a year.
After viewing the exhibits, visitors can browse original local items at the museum shop. The surrounding neighborhood features tourist information, local specialty shops, and restaurants, making it easy to transition into a walking tour of the town. Combining a visit here with the adjacent Banshoin Temple provides a thorough look at the island’s heritage.
Basic Information
・Name: Tsushima Museum
・Operating Hours: 9:30–17:00 (Last entry at 16:30).
・Closed: Thursdays (If Thursday is a national holiday, it closes the following day).
・Price: General Admission: 550 yen / High School & University Students: 330 yen / Elementary & Junior High Students: 220 yen (Discounts available for local residents and groups of 15 or more).
・Parking: Available
Access
・Address: 1668-2 Imayashiki, Izuhara-machi, Tsushima-shi, Nagasaki Prefecture 817-0021
By Car: Approximately 15 minutes from Tsushima Yamaneko Airport, or about 3 minutes from the Izuhara Port Domestic Terminal.
Nearby Ryokan
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