Kyushu National Museum opened in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, on 16 October 2005, becoming Japan’s fourth national museum after our partner institutions in Tokyo, Nara, and Kyoto. The establishment of a National Museum here in Kyushu has often been referred to as the island’s “century-long dream,” and was made possible only by the fervent efforts and enthusiasm of the local community, both in Dazaifu and throughout the region. Since our opening day 20 years ago, we have been delighted to welcome a variety of visitors from around the world, with November 2025 witnessing the arrival of our 20-millionth guest. As we turn from this milestone towards the future, I would like to take this opportunity to thank any and all who have visited or otherwise supported Kyushu National Museum over the years for your generous patronage.

From the moment we opened, we have held our philosophy of “mapping the formation of Japanese culture within the context of Asia’s history” close to our hearts. We take Dazaifu, with its rich history of cultural exchange, as a starting point from which to deliver a variety of exhibitions telling diverse stories of cultural exchange between Japan and Asia. Upon welcoming our 20th anniversary, we also introduced a new principle to guide our work going forward: the concept of a “journey through time.” Having journeyed through time themselves, cultural properties reflect the beliefs and societal structures of their times, which we believe gives them an immense hidden potential as bridges between people and culture, a role that is particularly important as the divides in our society continue to widen. They provide us with answers sourced directly from the past while also asking us innumerable and invaluable questions on the present. It is our role as a museum to open up opportunities for dialog with these cultural properties so that they may develop our insight, our ability to see things for what they truly are, which will in turn guide us through the complexities of modern life. I hope that this “journey through time” we provide can offer you new perspectives on the world we inhabit, and help enrich the lives you lead within it.

That very world is filled with diverse cultures and beliefs. As they interact with each other and fuse together, further new cultures are born. We believe that this chain of cultural creation nurtures a universal sense of wisdom, of beauty, shared among all humankind. Going forward, as a platform for sharing this knowledge, we at Kyushu National Museum will work to foster an environment where cultural properties provide a starting point from which people can connect with and relate to one another. To encounter, to resonate, and finally to drive forth: we aim to position these three principles as the cornerstones of our museum, creating a space where visitors encounter cultural properties that resonate with them and drive them forth towards a brighter future.

I would like to once again express my sincerest gratitude to everyone who has supported us, from the earliest campaigns for a Kyushu National Museum right through to the museum of today. As we continue to work towards becoming even friendlier and more enjoyable as a museum, we kindly ask for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you through our doors soon.