Japan Travel: Dejima　Historical structures in the Sakoku era Nagasaki city, Kyushu

Dejima was a manmade island in the port of Nagasak. The island was constructed in 1636 to segregate Portuguese residents from the Japanese population and control their missionary activities. It is called Sakoku(鎖国), the foreign relations policy.

Three years later, the Portuguese were expelled from Japan, and a Dutch trading factory, formerly located in Hirado, was moved to Dejima. The Dutch workers, the only remaining Westerners allowed in the country, were limited to Dejima during Japan’s two centuries of isolation.

Today, Dejima is not an island anymore, as the surrounding area has been filled up during the 20th century. However, many Dejima’s historical structures remain, have been or are being reconstructed in the area, including various residences, walls, warehouses and gates.

Works to restore Dejima to its original state were started in 1996 and are currently on-going. The ultimate aim is to convert Dejima back into an island by digging canals around all its four sides.

Hours: 8:00 to 18:00 (last entry until 17:40)
Closed: No closing days.
Admission:500 yen
Access Information:
From Nagasaki Ekimae tram station take tram number s 1 to “Dejima” tram stop. Tram is very useful in Nagasaki city. English pamphlet is available on the Internet.

Japan Travel: Dejima　Historical structures in the Sakoku era Nagasaki city, Kyushu
【001Nagasaki Dejima】
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