Set inside Yokohama’s former Specie Bank headquarters, this museum traces the history and culture of Kanagawa from prehistoric times to the postwar era. Its collections include early tools and pottery, historical documents, portraits, paintings and uniforms. The galleries cover different periods, though they are not arranged in a simple timeline. Begin on the third floor and work down to follow the chronological sequence. English explanations are available for some displays; Pocket Curator and downloadable PDFs can help fill in gaps.
From bank headquarters to museum
The building opened in 1904 as the head office of the Yokohama Specie Bank. It later became a museum run by Kanagawa Prefecture and is designated a National Important Cultural Property. The Great Kanto Earthquake damaged its dome; the dome was rebuilt in 1967, when the museum opened. The building’s history gives the galleries a setting closely tied to Yokohama’s past.
A route through Kanagawa’s past
The museum’s collections cover the region from prehistoric times to the postwar period, with displays on people’s lives, beliefs, history and economy. Early tools and pottery sit alongside historical documents, portraits, paintings and uniforms. The third floor focuses on ancient history, followed by premodern material on the fourth floor and modern and contemporary subjects on the fifth. Since the displays do not form a straightforward timeline, starting upstairs and descending makes the sequence easier to follow.
Some galleries have brief English explanations, but many displays provide limited English information. Pocket Curator and downloadable PDFs offer additional English guidance. The museum also holds special exhibitions during the year, and its shop stocks books and goods related to Yokohama and Japanese history.
FAQ
How long should I spend at the museum?
Plan for more than an hour; a full day is not needed.
How can I follow the historical order of the exhibits?
Begin on the third floor and work your way down. The third floor covers ancient history, the fourth premodern subjects, and the fifth modern and contemporary topics.
Is information available in English?
Some displays have brief English explanations, but English coverage is limited. Pocket Curator and downloadable PDFs can provide more guidance.
What is the museum building’s history?
It was built in 1904 as the Yokohama Specie Bank’s head office and later became the prefectural history museum. It is designated a National Important Cultural Property.
