Events

Machiya Corner: Tōji
Decorations and dishes connected with Tōji, or winter solstice, are displayed in the Machiya corner, which reproduces a Nagasaki’s merchant house from the Edo period. Check the full Machiya calendar here.

Dates: October 21 (Tue) – December 25 (Thu), 2025
Place: 2F Permanent Exhibition Gallery
Time: 8:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
Fee: included in the Permanent Exhibition ticket

Thematic Exhibition: Rekibun Collection 20 Years
The Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, affectionately nicknamed “Rekibun”, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on November 3rd, 2025. Its collection has evolved over the past 20 years: in this exhibit, we present a selection of masterpieces, and trace their journey in our Museum.

Dates: October 22 (Wed) – December 14 (Sun), 2025
Place: 2F Permanent Exhibition Gallery
Time: 8:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
Fee: included in the Permanent Exhibition ticket

Rekibun Christmas Tree

Dates: December 2 (Tue) – December 25 (Thu), 2025
Place: 1F Entrance
Time: 8:30-18:00

Thematic Exhibition: Strides taken in the field of Nagasaki City Regional Studies
The branch of regional studies known as Nagasaki-gaku (the study of Nagasaki) has progressed to the present day through the work of its pioneers, who preserved and recorded historical documents, and accumulated research on Nagasaki’s history and culture. This exhibition will focus on the history of Nagasaki City regional studies, which continues to this day, by introducing Koga Jūjirō and other prominent researchers, and the facilities housing the documents they preserved and handed down.

Dates: December 18 (Wed), 2025 – February 15 (Sun), 2026
Place: 2F Permanent Exhibition Gallery
Time: 8:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
Fee: included in the Permanent Exhibition ticket

Monthly Workshop: Gift Envelope with Mizuhiki Knot
“Mizuhiki” are paper cords, commonly used to create ornamental knots to decorate gift envelopes. In this workshop you will make a small envelope with your choice of origami paper, and decorate it with a “plum flower” mizuhiki knot.

Date: December 20 (Sat), 2025
Time: 13:30-15:30 (sign-ups close at 15:15)
Place: 1F Entrance
Fee: 200 yen
*No prior registration needed.

Free Mochi Distribution
Freshly pounded mochi (chewy rice cakes) prepared during the morning will be distributed for free to museum visitors in the afternoon.

Date: December 21 (Sun), 2025
Time: mochi distribution from 13:00 (tentative; until stock lasts)
Place: 1F Entrance

Machiya Corner: New Year
Decorations and dishes connected with the New Year’s celebrations are displayed in the Machiya corner, which reproduces a Nagasaki’s merchant house from the Edo period. Check the full Machiya calendar here.

Dates: December 26 (Fri), 2025 – January 18 (Sun), 2026
Place: 2F Permanent Exhibition Gallery
Time: 8:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
Fee: included in the Permanent Exhibition ticket

Performance Calligraphy
High school students create a bold calligraphy work in a synchronized performance accompanied by music.

Date: January 2 (Fri), 2026
Time: 11:30 / 15:00
Place: 1F Entrance
Performers: Nagasaki Prefectural Nagasaki Nishi High School Calligraphy Club

Kakizome (First Calligraphy of the Year)
Take part in the Japanese tradition of writing the first calligraphy of the new year using brush and ink. Even if you don’t know Japanese, students from the Nishi High School Calligraphy Club will help you trace auspicious characters.

Date: January 2 (Fri), 2026
Time: 13:00-14:15 (sign-ups close at 14:00)
Place: 2F Ryūzantei
Cooperation: Nagasaki Prefectural Nagasaki Nishi High School Calligraphy Club
*No prior registration needed.

Tsugaru Shamisen and Taiko Performance
Enjoy a powerful performance combining the energetic and dynamic Tsugaru shamisen (a three-stringed Japanese lute) with traditional Japanese drums.

Date: January 3 (Sat), 2026
Time: 11:00-12:00
Place: 1F Entrance
Performers: Tsugaru Shamisen Ishii Ryū Shūhokai, Saihō Kotengu

New Year Concert
A free concert for flute, voice and piano.

Date: January 4 (Sun), 2026
Time: 11:00
Place: 1F Entrance
Performers: Nagasaki Prefecture Shin Ensōka Kyōkai

Koto Performance
Enjoy traditional Japanese sounds with this free performance of koto, a much-loved instrument similar to a zither.

Date: January 11 (Sun), 2026
Time: 11:00
Place: 1F Entrance
Performers: h Music, Chinzei Gakuin High School Koto Music Club, Tsumiyamakai

Monthly Workshop: “Compra Bottle” Strap
Compra bottles were white porcelain bottles used in the Edo period to export soy sauce and Japanese sake to Europe. In this workshop you will create a cute strap in the shape of these bottles.

Date: January 18 (Sun), 2026
Time: 13:30-15:30 (sign-ups close at 15:15)
Place: 1F Entrance
Fee: 200 yen
*No prior registration needed.

Machiya Corner: Setsubun
Decorations and dishes connected with Setsubun, the day that traditionally preceded the beginning of spring, are displayed in the Machiya corner, which reproduces a Nagasaki’s merchant house from the Edo period. Check the full Machiya calendar here.

Dates: January 20 (Tue) – February 15 (Sun), 2026
Place: 2F Permanent Exhibition Gallery
Time: 8:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
Fee: included in the Permanent Exhibition ticket

Costume dramas in the Nagasaki Magistrate’s Office
Inside the reconstructed Nagasaki Magistrate’s Office, museum volunteers recreate trials from the Edo period (1603-1868). The skits are based on the Hankachō, historical records of criminal cases judged by the Nagasaki magistrates.

Dates: every Sunday
Place: 2F Permanent Exhibition Gallery, inside The Japanese Government of Nagasaki Zone
Time: 11:00, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 (duration about 20 min.)
Fee: included in the Permanent Exhibition ticket