Dejima

Welcome to Dejima, an extraordinary site that served as Japan's only open door to the Western world for over two centuries. Constructed in 1636, this small, fan-shaped artificial island was built in Nagasaki harbor to segregate…

Our journey begins at the Omotemon Bridge, the main entrance that connects Dejima to the Nagasaki mainland. For over 130 years, this bridge did not exist in its original form, as Dejima was surrounded by reclaimed land. …

On the seaward side of Dejima lies the Suimon, or the Water Gate. This was the true commercial heart of the island, where Dutch ships would unload their cargo directly into the warehouses. …

The largest and most impressive building on Dejima is the Kapitan's Residence, the home of the Chief Merchant of the Dutch East India Company. This building is a fascinating scholarly example of 'Wofuku' or Western-Japanese…

Walking along the central street of Dejima, you are flanked by long, sturdy warehouses. In the Edo period, these were the secure storage facilities for some of the world's most valuable commodities. …

While trade was the purpose of Dejima, the island was also a home. For the approximately fifteen Dutch residents, life was a strange mix of boredom and intense activity. …

As we move toward the eastern end of the island, we encounter buildings from the later years of Dejima’s history. One notable structure is the Former Dejima Protestant Seminary, built in 1878 after Japan had opened its doors to…

Our exploration of Dejima has taken us across the Omotemon Bridge and through the heart of Japan's most important historical gateway. We have analyzed the hybrid architecture of the Kapitan’s residence, where tatami and Dutch…