Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History

The Former Yokohama Specie Bank Head Office

The former Yokohama Specie Bank building was completed in 1904. Designed in a grand Neo-Baroque style, it is characterized by its imposing stone exterior and distinctive architectural details. The building reflects Yokohama’s development as an international port city and financial center following the opening of the port to foreign trade.

Yokohama Specie Bank was established in the late 19th century and became an important institution in Japan’s international finance and foreign exchange business. Its headquarters symbolized the city’s growing economic influence and its connections with overseas markets.

The building suffered damage in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Although the upper dome and much of the interior were destroyed by fire, the main structure survived. It was subsequently repaired and continued to be used as a bank building.

In 1964, Kanagawa Prefecture acquired the site and building. The Kanagawa Prefectural Museum opened in 1967, and the former bank’s main building was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1969. In 1995, the institution was reorganized as the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History, and the former bank building was also designated a National Historic Site.

The museum’s institutional history is connected with the prefectural museum that opened in 1967. Its natural-science collections later became the basis of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History in Odawara, while the history museum continued to focus on the humanities and the cultural history of the prefecture.

The History and Culture of Kanagawa in Five Periods

The museum’s main permanent exhibition is organized around five historical periods, making the complex history of Kanagawa easier to understand. Through archaeological discoveries, historical documents, artworks, and other materials, visitors can explore how people’s lives, beliefs, politics, and economy changed over time.

The exhibitions cover the region from ancient times through the medieval and early modern periods to the opening of Yokohama Port and the modernization of Japan. They also introduce the influence of foreign cultures and the development of modern Kanagawa.

Rather than presenting history only as a sequence of dates and political events, the museum uses a broad cultural perspective to show how people lived and how society changed. This approach helps visitors understand the distinctive character of Kanagawa and its place in Japanese history.

Archaeological Discoveries and Historical Documents

The museum displays a wide range of materials related to the history of Kanagawa. Its archaeological collection includes objects excavated within the prefecture, such as ancient pottery, stone tools, and artifacts from the Kofun period, when large burial mounds were constructed across Japan.

Historical materials include written records, old documents, paintings, and other objects that help explain the region’s past. These materials provide insights into important events, local communities, and the development of culture and society.

By examining both archaeological objects and written records, visitors can explore different aspects of the past and gain a deeper understanding of the people who lived in the region.

Special Exhibitions and Educational Programs

In addition to its permanent displays, the museum holds special exhibitions focusing on particular themes, historical periods, traditional events, and significant historical figures. These exhibitions introduce subjects in greater depth and offer visitors new perspectives on Kanagawa’s history and culture.

The museum also provides educational programs and workshops for schools and groups. These activities offer opportunities to learn about history and archaeology through exhibitions and practical experiences. They are designed to make historical subjects accessible to a wide range of visitors, including younger generations.

Museum Facilities and Visitor Experience

The museum includes permanent exhibition galleries, special exhibition spaces, and rooms for education and learning. These facilities provide an environment in which visitors can explore the history of Kanagawa at their own pace.

The building combines the historic former bank structure with later museum facilities. The exhibition spaces are arranged to make the displays easy to explore, and the museum has barrier-free features to support visitors with different mobility needs.

The museum also has a free-access area on the first floor. This area includes a museum library, a shop, and Café Tomoshibi. Visitors can experience part of the museum environment and enjoy its facilities without necessarily entering the paid exhibition areas.

Experience the History of Kanagawa in Yokohama

The Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History offers a valuable introduction to the history and culture of Kanagawa, from its earliest archaeological remains to the development of modern Yokohama. Its exhibitions bring together historical documents, archaeological artifacts, paintings, and other cultural materials to tell the story of the region.

The museum is also an architectural attraction in its own right. The former Yokohama Specie Bank head office preserves an important chapter in the history of Japan’s modernization and international trade. Visiting the museum provides an opportunity to appreciate both the building’s historic character and the diverse cultural heritage of Kanagawa.