Shoko Shuseikan Museum
Shoko Shuseikan Museum
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Shoko Shuseikan is a museum set in a 150 year old stone building originally used as a machine factory. Learn about the 700 year history and culture of the Shimadzu family, and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. In July, 2015 Shoko Shuseikan and neighboring Sengan-en were recognized as World Cultural Heritage Sites related to Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution. Entrance fee includes access to Sengan-en.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
172 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
87
Average
41
Poor
2
Terrible
2
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気まぐれな旅人
Manila, Philippines6,356 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
This building is next to Sengan-en Garden. The admission fee is a set with Sengan-en Garden, so it's a good deal. I was looking forward to visiting this building, but it is closed until the end of September 2024 due to earthquake-resistance construction work. This time, I was able to enter the Shoko Shuseikan Annex next door, but photography is prohibited. I'm looking forward to its renewal next year.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DotsGirl2
Vancouver, Canada452 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
This museum outlines the life of the Shimadzu family as well as their import of western technology into Japan. There are English explanations at each exhibit. Interesting 20 to 30 minute visit
Written April 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marianne H
Sydney, Australia301 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This museum had some interesting exhibits about industrialisation but they were not displayed or labelled as well as they could have been. On the plus side however the gardens next to the museum were excellent
Written April 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eddiemack
Pompano Beach, FL432 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Established by Lord Shimazu in 1852 to produce armaments, glass, ceramics and farm tools, this was Japan's first Western-style factory. It's now a museum detailing the 700 year Shimazu family history. Lots of old machinery and tools. Be sure to visit the adjacent Japanese-style landscape garden whose entry fee is included in the cost of your factor ticket.
Written May 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tomizuta1953
Funabashi, Japan1,357 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
It is helpful to have some background history when visiting this Museum. The Tokugawa shogunate adopted an isolation policy from the 16th century. Japan closed its ports to foreigners with the exception of China, Holland and Korea. In the 19th century western countries came to Japan demanding it to open its doors. Although there was much argument against from feudal lords including Satsuma, the Tokugawa government succumbed to foreign pressure and entered into Amity and Commerce treaties with the US, Holland, Russia, Britain and France in 1858. In 1862 a British man was killed and three wounded by Satsuma samurai guards of a procession of Nariakira Shimazu in Namamugi (now part of Yokohama City) on his way back to Satsuma. Satsuma rejected Britain’s demand to extradite the responsible samurais, resulting in a three day war between Britain and Satsuma. The British opened fire from its military fleet in Kagoshima Bay to Tsurumaru (Kagoshima) Castle. The British received a strong counter attack and withdrew its fleet. Casualties were by far larger for the British. Following this Britain and Satsuma established close ties. The British had learned not to underestimate Satsuma and Satsuma came to realize the impracticality of the continuation of the isolation and the necessity to expedite the import of Western technology. Nariakira Shimazu ordered the construction of Shuuseikan completed in 1865. Many British advisors were invited to Satsuma to assist in the modernization efforts including the import of steam-powered equipment. The museum has an informative display of such imported equipment.
Written February 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mon55
Brisbane, Australia1,213 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
If machinery and its history is your thing you will love this museum. I had a look at the display and read all the English signage which was most helpful. It makes for an enjoyable stop after exiting the gardens.
Written November 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ka N
Hong Kong, China109 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
There is both clear English and Japanese illustration in the museum. During the era near the Muji Reform, it clearly illustrated how a 藩主 should survive in the era of changes.
Written December 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimitaka S
Taichung, Taiwan15,193 contributions
May 2016
Shoko Shuseikan used to be a factory of Satsuma Domain, and now it is transformed to a nice museum. Because I do not have much interest in machinery, I just took a look briefly. If you like machinery, their displays might be quite interesting. Anyway, it is beside Sengenen Garden, and the ticket to Sengenen entitles you to enter this museum. So, just go ahead after your visit to Sengenen.
Written July 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frederique V
Brummen, The Netherlands131 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
The musea in the old factory buildings give a good insight in the modernization efforts mid 19th century. And of the history of this clan and its place in the Meiji restauration.
The garden is beautifully layed out and the mansion is worth a visit. It costs extra. Althought some room can also be seen from the outside.
The garden is beautifully layed out and the mansion is worth a visit. It costs extra. Althought some room can also be seen from the outside.
Written December 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanaka G
Tokyo415 contributions
May 2015 • Family
The museum opened in 1923 using the existing building which was built in 1865 as the former Shuseikan machinery factory. Easy to understand how the Shimadzu family modernized Kagoshima.
Written May 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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