General Information
Dejima is an artificial island built as a port for trade with the West during the Edo period. During the 200 years of national isolation, it played an important role as the only place open to Western countries. After the end of the isolation period, the island was reclaimed during the Meiji period. Now, it is designated as a National Historic Site as the remains of the Dejima Japan-Holland Trading Post, and Nagasaki City has been restoring the place.
Initially, Portuguese people lived in Dejima, but in the year following its completion, a rebellion by Christian villagers occurred in Shimabara and Amakusa, leading the Japanese samurai government to fall out with the Portuguese. In 1639, the Portuguese were banned from landing in Japan. Just three years after its completion, the island became uninhabited.
During the Edo period, Holland and China were the only two countries allowed to trade with Japan. To prevent the spread of Christianity and smuggling, the Dutch were confined to Dejima, while the Chinese were housed in China Houses.
History More about National Isolation , Click here.
The Shogunate government built an island to house Portuguese people who lived in Nagasaki without control, to prevent Christianity from spreading. Twenty-five wealthy merchants in Nagasaki financed the completion of the island.
The Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Chinese became increasingly competitive in trading with Japan, and in 1637, the Shimabara Rebellion occurred. The shogunate government became cautious about Portuguese influence and deported them. At the same time, during the Shimabara Rebellion, the Dutch sided with the shogunate government, which led to the Dutch monopolizing trade.
In 1639, the Portuguese were expelled from Dejima, and it became an uninhabited island. However, in 1641, the Dutch Trading House was moved here from Hirado. After this, it was the only open door to the Western world for 218 years until the opening of the country in the Ansei era.
In the early Edo period, the main imports from the Netherlands were red iron oxide and raw silk, and the main export was silver. After the mid-Edo period, the main imports were raxa cloth, velvet, pepper, sugar, glassware, and books. The exports were copper, camphor, chinaware, and lacquerware.
After the opening of the country, to modernize Nagasaki as a trading port, many changes were made to the port. One of the projects was to eliminate Dejima island.
Each House

I-1 The Captain’s House of the First Ship
This house was used by captains and house clerks. The first floor has a reproduced dirt floor for storage, while the second floor features a living room with tables and beds.
I-2 The First Storage
This storage room was used for storing imported sugar. The storage houses were built with thick earthen walls. It displays the process of reproduction and the foundation rocks of the building.
I-3 The Second Storage
This storage was used for storing sobok and Sappan wood (a dyeing material). It displays various imports and exports that went through Dejima.
I-4 Hetoru House
This was the house of Hetoru, the Vice Headmaster. The first floor is a museum shop selling “Dejima goods.” The second floor is used for special featured displays.
I-5 Cooks’ House
House clerks had meals twice on the second floor of the Kapitan’s house. This was the kitchen where meals were cooked. Japanese interpreters and samurai clerks who came to Dejima were said to be very happy to get rare Western food here.
II-1 The Third Storage
This represents the storehouse at that time, storing various exports.
II-2 Secretaries’ House
This house was for Dutch secretaries to keep records. It introduces Dutch studies, which first came to Dejima.
II-3 Kapitan House
This was the room of the Kapitan, the headmaster of the Dutch Trading House. It is the biggest house in Dejima, used as the office and residence of the Kapitan. It also functioned as guest rooms for Japanese government clerks and samurai lords. The first floor displays the history and life of Dejima, while the second floor displays the life of the Kapitan.
II-4 Otona House
This was the house of Otona, Japanese staff who dealt with trading. Otona were chosen from the townspeople who built Dejima. The first floor introduces the work of Otona.
II-5 Water Gate
This is a symbolic building representing the introduction of Western and Japanese cultures, studies, and trades. There are two entrances: the south entrance for imports and the north entrance for exports.
III-1 The Sixteenth Storage
This storage was used for storing cloves.
III-2 Dutch Secretaries’ House
This house clearly shows how Dejima was connected with the world and other Japanese places through trading and cultural exchanges.
III-3 The Fourteenth Storage
This storage was used for storing sugar. It introduces excavated items from under the storehouses, the construction process, and the bridges between Dejima and Nagasaki town.
III-4 Otona Office
This was where Otona were positioned.
III-5 Kumigashira House
Kumigashira were assistants to Otona. They measured and wrapped copper.
III-6 Copper Storage
This storage displays how copper, the most important export, was stored. It shows a video introducing the history of Japan’s connection with the world through copper.
B-1 Stone Storage
This stone storage house dates back to the end of the Edo period. It displays archaeological items excavated from Dejima.
B-2 New Stone Storage
M-1 The Former Theological School
This is the oldest Christian theological school in Japan, built in 1878.
M-2 The Former Nagasaki Society Club
Built in 1903, this club was a place for socializing between Japanese people and foreigners living in Nagasaki. The first floor is a restaurant serving Nagasaki food, while the second floor displays the era of foreign settlement.