Welcoming more than 15 million visitors since its opening in 2005, the Kyushu National Museum is one of the newer museums to join the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage. Dazaifu is considered one of the grand stages of Japanese history and so joined Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara in hosting these significant museums.
Inside the architecturally striking institution, stop at the Cultural Exchange Exhibition, the museum’s permanent gallery with thousands of historical artifacts related to Japan. The theme is “Ocean Ways, Asian Paths,” demonstrating Japan’s progression and relationship with Asia and Europe. The exhibits are changed frequently to offer fresh content for visitors and include touchable objects and high-definition videos to enhance the experience.
Move on to the current Special Exhibitions area (visit the museum’s website for the latest exhibition calendar), which reflects a wide range of themes. Past exhibits have included the Buddhist sculptures of Daihō’onji, French artwork and an unprecedented exhibition of 13 Ashikaga shogun statues.
Watch a short film in the high-definition theater. Regular showings include documentaries about the sacred island of Okinoshima, in the Munakata region, and the story of the Nanbansen ships that arrived in Japan from Europe in the Momoyama period, and the unusual treasures they brought with them.
If you have young kids with you, don’t miss the free, interactive Ajippa gallery on the first floor. Kids can use all five senses to interact with the Asian and European countries that interacted with Japan.
The museum offers two dining options, the café on the first floor, and the Greenhouse Restaurant, which offers themed menu items during special exhibition periods. The Museum Shop on the first floor sells several souvenir options, from postcards to books to T-shirts.
The Kyushu National Museum is open every day except Monday. There is paid parking on site. Reach the museum by train to Dazaifu Station, then a short 10-minute walk. There is a special access tunnel that links the museum to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.