ZENRIN MUSEUM
Zenrin Museum Overview
Let me introduce a place that every traveler would find fascinating.
Why do you travel?
Visiting here lets you "get closer to the essence of why people embark on journeys."
Have you ever wondered why ancient explorers faced peril to seek unknown lands?
What inspired them to imagine unseen cultures and people beyond the sea?
At the "Zenrin Museum," you can experience the boundless energy and innovation spirit that drove people in the past.VisionStream Hide.I
This place is close to Kokura Station, so you can drop in whenever you have a little extra time.
“Z Curators”
The Zenrin Museum showcases historical maps that reflect the worldview and activities of their respective times. The permanent exhibition features Western and Japanese maps from the 16th to 20th centuries. In addition to the permanent display, the museum hosts limited-time exhibitions and events in a multipurpose room. The museum staff, known as "Z Curators," provide insights into the maps' backgrounds and creators' intentions.
Here, we have staff stationed as Z Curators to share the joy of maps.
They provide fascinating stories and insights about the creators' intentions and historical backgrounds that can't be fully conveyed through writing alone.
I found their accounts to be highly engaging.
Here is a brief overview of the permanent exhibition at Zenrin Museum:
Permanent Exhibition Overview
The Zenrin Museum's permanent exhibition is divided into three sections. It explores the historical narratives and intentions behind various maps, showcasing how Japan was depicted in Western and Japanese cartography from the 15th to 20th centuries. Key exhibits include:
Japan in the World: Maps showing the evolving depiction of Japan from mythical "Zipangu" to accurate representations influenced by Christian missionaries and trade.
Ino Maps and Modern Japan: The development and impact of Ino Tadataka's precise maps in the Edo period.
Tourist Guides and Panoramic Maps: The rise of travel literature and maps depicting famous sites from the Edo period to modern times.
For more details, visit the Zenrin Museum Permanent Exhibition Page.
This location is conveniently close to Kokura Castle. Within the facility, there's a fantastic viewpoint offering a bird's-eye view of Kokura Castle.
In the museum, almost all locations forbid photography. Although it's a pity, I believe this adds to the allure of travel. Let me share a memorable exhibit: "Long ago, humans likely used 'painted maps' to converse before they had a common language to communicate with people of different nations." This sentiment deeply resonated with me. I honor the daring pioneers worldwide who dreamed of innovation.
Paying the admission fee gets you a guidebook for the museum, which is fantastic! It feels like you're being given precious historical documents!
Visitor Information
Opening Hours
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM)
Closed Days
Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday)
Occasional closures during the New Year holidays, etc.
Admission Fee
1,000 yen (800 yen for groups of 8 or more, and for disabled visitors with one companion)
Free for elementary school students and younger with a guardian
Payment Methods
Cash, credit cards, IC cards, QUICPay, iD
Location and Access
Address
14F Riverwalk Kitakyushu, 1-1-1 Muromachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Transportation
10-minute walk from Kokura Station, 5-minute walk from Nishi-Kokura Station
Bus: Get off at Muromachi/Riverwalk
Car: 3-minute drive from Kitakyushu Urban Expressway Kokura Station North exit. Use Riverwalk Kitakyushu parking (fees apply).
For more information, please visit the Zenrin Museum Access Page.