Reimeikan, a historical museum located at the site of the main keep of Kagoshima Castle, traces the footsteps of the end of the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration

"Reimeikan, a museum reflecting the history of Satsuma, standing on the site of the main keep of Kamomaru Castle"

The Kagoshima Prefectural History and Art Center Reimeikan is a prefectural history museum built on the site of the main keep of Kagoshima Castle (Tsurumaru Castle), the former residence of the Shimazu clan, the feudal lords of the domain. Boasting a collection of 155,000 items, mainly from the end of the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration, the facility allows visitors to enjoy learning about Kagoshima's history through dioramas, multilingual guides, and interactive corners.

"A journey to experience the history of Satsuma - Discovering the story of Kagoshima at Reimeikan"

Located in the Shiroyama area in the heart of Kagoshima City, Reimeikan is the perfect spot for tourists visiting Kagoshima to gain a deeper understanding of history. This is the site of the main keep of Tsurumaru Castle, where the feudal lord once lived - a place that is truly a symbol of Satsuma. Once you step inside the facility, you can feel the depth of the era that Kagoshima has carved out through exhibits, dioramas, videos, and experience corners.

The "Kagoshima History" corner on the first floor of the museum is divided into four periods, from primitive and ancient times to modern times, and is presented using large models and cityscape dioramas. With videos and quiz-style exhibits that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, even history novices can easily learn. For example, there is a corner where you can try on samurai armor, making it the perfect way to create memories on your trip.

The second floor is a collection of exhibition rooms divided into sections, with a particularly impressive "Meiji Restoration" section. The museum houses many documents related to the end of the Edo Shogunate, the establishment of the Meiji government, and Japan's industrial revolution, providing a three-dimensional understanding of the role of the Satsuma domain and the history of the region. The exhibition cases have been refurbished to airtight cases suitable for Important Cultural Properties, and the lighting has been upgraded to LED, creating a state-of-the-art exhibition environment. Furthermore, the permanent exhibition guide and audio guide are available in multiple languages, making it convenient for foreign tourists.

The area is also highly accessible for tourists, being just a 5-minute walk from the "City Hall" tram stop and the "City Hall" bus stop, and is also conveniently located close to the "Satsuma Gishi Monument" stop on the "Kagoshima City View" sightseeing bus. Parking is available for 125 standard-sized cars and 20 buses, making it ideal for those visiting by rental car.

After your visit, we recommend going outside the building to enjoy the view of Kagoshima city and Sakurajima from the Shiroyama Observatory, or touring the nearby historical sites. Using Reimeikan as your base for a "Satsuma Historical Walk" will add depth and discovery to your trip.

Reimeikan is the perfect place for those who want to experience more than just visiting Kagoshima, but also the history of passion and change that this land has experienced over time. Even those who aren't fond of art galleries or museums can enjoy the natural experience of "seeing," "touching," and "learning" thanks to the models and interactive corners.

If you want to deepen your understanding of the history of your destination and have a valuable stay where you can tell the story of the land of Kagoshima in your own words, Reimeikan is the perfect choice for that part of your trip.