Tsushima Museum

Overview

Tsushima Museum is a museum located in Imayashiki, Izuhara-machi, Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, which opened on April 30, 2022. It is jointly operated by Nagasaki Prefecture and Tsushima City, and houses the Nagasaki Prefecture Tsushima Historical Research Center on its premises.

Highlights

• ●A collection of about 112,000 items centered on the 80,000-item So Family Archive
• ●Permanent displays of archaeological finds and Buddhist art from across Tsushima
• ●Exhibits related to the Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic missions
• ●Its role as a research base housing the Nagasaki Prefecture Tsushima Historical Research Center

History

The museum's holdings center on the 'So Family Archive' (Soke Bunko), around 80,000 items handed down from the So clan, who served as lords of Tsushima Domain, forming part of a total collection of about 112,000 items. Its opening was delayed from the original schedule, and in the meantime preparatory events were periodically held using the parts of the facility that had already been completed. It also served as a destination for local elementary school students whose school trips were switched to within-island excursions as a measure against COVID-19. It is regarded as the first museum to cover the history of the whole of Tsushima Island.

Map

34.2037, 129.2879 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Spend time examining Tsushima's historical materials at the museum in Izuhara
2. 2Learn about the history of Tsushima Domain through items from the So Family Archive
3. 3Explore the history of Japan-Korea exchange through the Joseon Tongsinsa-related exhibits
4. 4Combine the visit with historic sites around Izuhara Port to trace Tsushima's history

Did you know?

💡 Of the roughly 112,000 items in its collection, about 500 — including archaeological finds from sites across the island, Buddhist art, and materials related to the Joseon Tongsinsa (Korean diplomatic missions to Japan) — are on permanent display. It is Tsushima's first museum covering the island's history as a whole.

Nearby spots