Ryozen Museum of History

The Ryozen Museum of History is dedicated to the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration. These were significant times in Japanese history when the country would transition from the centuries of isolation under the rule of the Tokugawa clan to a modern state. Opened in 1970 it is also a center for the study of the times, and supports the publication of authors and scholars. Kyoto was a center for the transitional politics of the time for the samurai, daimyo, politicians, and the emperor at the time. The artists, writers, and intellectuals were concentrated in Kyoto and this museum tells the story of this formative and important time. You can see artifacts, learn and connect with Japanese historical figures like Sakamoto Ryoma, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, and many more. The museum often holds exhibitions highlighting some important aspect of this fascinating time in Japanese history. The permanent collection gives visitors a chance to see and learn about Japan before and after the transition to a modern state.