Yokohama Archives of History Museum

Address: 6-50-1 Honmachi, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Website: https://www.rekihaku.city.yokohama.jp/

The Yokohama Archives of History is an institution in Yokohama that collects and displays documents, maps and exhibits relating to the city’s opening to foreign trade and its maritime history. It serves both as a public museum and a research archive.

Exhibition galleries present the treaty-port era, urban development and port infrastructure, while the archival holdings support historical research. The venue commonly hosts temporary displays and educational programs about Yokohama’s international connections.

The archives are located in central Yokohama within Kanagawa Prefecture, near the port area and historic Yamate district, and are reachable from Kannai and Motomachi-Chukagai stations.

• Location tip: Located close to Yokohama’s port area and historical neighborhoods, making it easy to combine with visits to Yamate and Chinatown.
• Collections: Houses archival materials and rotating exhibits on Yokohama’s development as an international treaty port.

The Archives is in the Yamate/Motomachi district of Naka Ward, about a 10-15 minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line or a similar distance from Ishikawacho Station on the JR Negishi Line. Visitors can combine a walk through Yamate’s foreign residences and Yamashita Park en route.

• Enter through the museum-like entrance on Motomachi for the best contextual displays before heading to the archival reading rooms.
• Check weekdays for quieter research time; weekends attract tourists to nearby Yamashita Park and can make the area busier.
• Photocopying and document-access rules are strict-bring ID and be prepared to request materials in advance for research.