Find answers to general questions frequently asked by visitors about Kyushu National Museum below.
- General Questions
- Getting Here
- Admission Fees
- Cultural Exchange Exhibition
- Special Exhibition
- Ajippa (Interactive Exhibition Gallery)
- Facilities and Accessibility
- Other Questions
Kyushu National Museum, or Kyuhaku for short, is the fourth national museum in Japan after Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara National Museum.We are founded on the philosophy of mapping the formation of Japanese culture within the context of Asia’s history. Aside from curatorial work, we also conduct restoration work and scientific research to help preserve cultural properties. We plan a variety of educational programs to make each visit fun and enjoyable for our audience.
The latest editions of our multilingual pamphlets can be found below.
These pamphlets introduce our museum in detail. Please peruse them on the occasion of your visit.
We are located in Dazaifu City in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Our address is
4-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan 818-0118.
092ー918ー2807 (only in
Japanese)
* For more information, please refer to our page on Getting
to the
museum.
We are open from 9:30 to 17:00. Last entry to the museum is
at
16:30.
During Special Exhibitions, we are open from 9:30 to 20:00 on
Fridays and Saturdays as part of Kyuhaku After Five. Last entry is
at 19:30.
The museum is closed on Mondays. If a public or substitute holiday
falls on a Monday, the Museum will be open that day and closed on
the following working day. The museum is also closed at the end of
the year.
* For more information, please refer to our page on Hours
and
Admission, as well as our yearly schedule
(in Japanese).
Yes, parking is available. Please refer to the table below for the types of parking available.
| Parking Spaces Available | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Visitor parking 1 (South) | 234 spaces | Total 313 spaces |
| Visitor parking 2 (East) | 79 spaces | ||
| Accessible parking | 23 spaces Please provide valid documentation when parking in these spaces. |
||
| Buses | Bus parking | 9 spaces | |
* For information on parking fees, please refer to our page on Hours
and
Admission.
* For live updates on parking availability, please refer to this
external
site (only available in Japanese).
Yes. Please refer to the map below.
You may use the automated platform lift by the Rainbow Tunnel (the
access tunnel from Dazaifu Tenmangū), or the manually-operated
platform lift by Kōmyōzenji Temple path to the west of the museum
(Kokuhaku Road).
To use the platform lift by Kōmyōzenji Temple path, please press the
lift interphone and wait for our staff to assist you.
Locality Map
Our admission fees vary depending on which exhibition you would like to see at the museum. Please refer to the information below for more details.
Cultural Exchange Exhibition
Adults: 700 yen
University students: 350 yen (please present valid student
identification documents upon
request).
Special Exhibition
Entry fees into the Special Exhibition Hall depend on the particular exhibition being hosted at any given time. Please refer to our Special Exhibition page for more details. Special Exhibition ticket holders are entitled to one free entry into the Cultural Exchange Exhibition.
Free admission
The following people are eligible for free admission into some exhibitions in the museum. Please bring the relevant documentation as indicated in the table below.
| Floor 4: Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) | Floor 3: Special Exhibition | |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors with disability documentation (* 1), and up to one other accompanying visitor | Disability documentation (*) | |
| High school students and younger, or visitors under 18 | Valid personal identification documents indicating your date of birth (e.g. student card, health insurance card, driver’s license) | Admission fees apply |
| Visitors over 70 | ||
| Kyushu National Museum Campus Members (* 2) | Valid student or staff identification documents | Admission fees apply |
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adults | 700 yen |
| University students | 350 yen |
* Please note that tickets to the Special Exhibition (3F) are priced
and sold separately. (Special Exhibition tickets grant access to
both the Special Exhibition and the Cultural Exchange
Exhibition.)
* For more information on the pricing for different Special
Exhibitions, please refer to the exhibitions listed on our main
webpage.
Visitors who qualify for free admission
Visitors who qualify for free admission should present relevant
documentation upon entry to the exhibition hall. Please refer to the
table below for more information.
| Floor 4: Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) | |
|---|---|
| High school students and younger, or visitors under 18 | Valid personal identification documents indicating your date of birth (e.g. student card, health insurance card, driver’s license) |
| Visitors over 70 | |
| Kyushu National Museum Campus Members (* 2) | Valid student or staff identification documents |
(* 1) This refers to officially-issued certification for persons with
physical, intellectual and mental disabilities, veterans with
combat-related injuries, atomic bomb survivors, patients with
intractable illnesses, and pediatric patients with chronic
illnesses. Certification that has been registered on the Mirairo ID
application is also accepted.
(* 2) For more information, please refer to our page on the Kyushu
National Museum Campus Members program (in Japanese).
Dazaifu Tenmangū Shrine and Kyushu National Museum Combination Ticket
This ticket grants visitors entry to the Dazaifu Tenmangū Museum,
Kankō Historical Museum, and Kyushu National Museum Cultural
Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) at a discounted
price of 1,000 yen.
Floor 4 Cultural Exchange Exhibition (Permanent Exhibition):
Advance
tickets are not available for this exhibition.
Floor 3 Special Exhibition: Advance tickets, such as Lawson
tickets,
are on sale up to the opening day of the Special Exhibition. They
may also be purchased at the Museum Shop.
For more information, please refer to the Special Exhibitions listed
on our main webpage.
Yes, we accept both electronic money and QR code payment.
Cashless payment is accepted at the following
locations
At the ticketing counter at Floor 1, the following cashless payment
methods can be used to purchase same-day tickets for the Special
Exhibition and Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall. Please note that
only lump sum payment is accepted for credit cards.
* For more information on the forms of payment accepted at the Museum Shop, please refer to our Museum Shop website.
Yes. Please refer to the following table for more details.
| Floor 1 |
Entrance Hall and Ajippa Free-of-charge events are also held periodically inside the Museum Hall. |
| Floor 3 | Booths outside the Special Exhibition (when Special Exhibitions are held) |
| Floor 4 | Lobby (Model of the Dazaifu government office) |
(1) Floor 3 Special Exhibition
- Tour guides and accompanying staff on tours have to pay an admission fee as well.
(2) Floor 4 Cultural Exchange Exhibition (Permanent Exhibition)
- Teachers who are leading groups of elementary, middle, or high school students to the museum for school-related activities are eligible for free entry. Prior to your visit, please submit an application to the Administrative Office for free admission to the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall. For more information on school visits, as well as for the application form, please refer to our page on Group Visits.
- Tour guides, bus guides, and interprets accompanying a group are eligible for free entry. Please present valid identification, such as a business card, employee ID, or certification on the day of your visit.
Online tickets are available for the Cultural Exchange Exhibition (Floor 4). You may purchase the tickets from our page on Hours and Admission.
Online tickets are available for some Special Exhibitions. For more information on the availability and purchase of Special Exhibition online tickets, please refer to the exhibitions listed on our main webpage.
Unfortunately, we are unable to process refunds for tickets that have already been paid for. We seek your understanding and cooperation.
Our Cultural Exchange Exhibition is located on Floor 4 of the
museum. Unlike seasonal Special Exhibitions, the Cultural
Exchange
Exhibition is open year-round, except on days the museum is
closed.
Also known as our permanent exhibition, the Cultural Exchange
Exhibition, so named for its focus on Japan’s history of cultural
exchange with Asia and Europe, is subtitled “Ocean Ways, Asian
Paths.” With our frequent rotation of artifacts, we aim to offer
visitors new perspective and fresh delights with every visit.
* For more information, please refer to our page on the Cultural Exchange Exhibition.
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adults | 700 yen |
| University students | 350 yen |
* Please note that tickets to the Special Exhibition (3F) are priced
and sold separately. (Special Exhibition tickets grant access to
both the Special Exhibition and the Cultural Exchange
Exhibition.)
* For more information on the pricing for different Special
Exhibitions, please refer to the exhibitions listed on our main
webpage.
Visitors who qualify for free admission
Visitors who qualify for free admission should present relevant
documentation upon entry to the exhibition hall. Please refer to the
table below for more information.
| Floor 4: Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) | |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disability documentation (* 1), and up to one other accompanying visitor | Disability documentation (*) |
| High school students and younger, or visitors under 18 | Valid personal identification documents indicating your date of birth (e.g. student card, health insurance card, driver’s license) |
| Visitors over 70 | |
| Kyushu National Museum Campus Members (* 2) | Valid student or staff identification documents |
(* 1) This refers to officially-issued certification for persons with
physical, intellectual and mental disabilities, veterans with
combat-related injuries, atomic bomb survivors, patients with
intractable illnesses, and pediatric patients with chronic
illnesses. Certification that has been registered on the Mirairo ID
application is also accepted.
(* 2) For more information, please refer to our page on the Kyushu
National Museum Campus Members program (in Japanese).
Dazaifu Tenmangū Shrine and Kyushu National Museum Combination Ticket
This ticket grants visitors entry to the Dazaifu Tenmangū Museum,
Kankō Historical Museum, and Kyushu National Museum Cultural
Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) at a discounted
price of 1,000 yen.
Please refer to the following table, as well as our yearly schedule (in Japanese) for more information on our free admission days.
| Eligible Visitors | |
|---|---|
| International Museum Day (18 May) * If the museum is closed on that day, admission will be free on the following working day |
Everyone |
| Respect for the Aged Day (the third Monday in September) | Everyone |
| Culture Day (3 November) | Exchange students |
| Family Day (the third Sunday in November) | Adults accompanying children (middle school and below). (Up to 2 adults are eligible for free entry per family) |
The lighting in the exhibition hall, set at an average of 150 lux, is designed to preserve our artifacts as best as possible while on display. As these cultural properties are quite fragile, it is necessary to limit the amount of light each item on display is exposed to, by the material and property of each work.
Floor lights have been installed in the exhibition hall to provide visitors with a safe and pleasant museum-going experience without exposing our artifacts to light damage. In light of feedback from our visitors that our exhibition halls are too dim, we are working towards solutions in improving our lighting infrastructure in order to provide a pleasant visitor experience for all. Thank you for your kind understanding as we work on this issue.
At 3900 square meters, the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (4F) is extensive in size. As we carry out exhibit changes regularly and frequently, having an open concept exhibition space allows our visitors to proceed to their desired portion of the gallery space more freely. We would like to encourage our visitors to embark on their own journey of exploration within the exhibition space, and thus do not have any fixed routes that visitors must follow.
The Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) (4F),
which is open to visitors year-round, has its exhibits partially
rotated every Monday, when the museum is closed to visitors.
These exhibit rotations refresh the objects on display, and
introduce the history of cultural exchange between Japan and Asia
from various angles. Through these constant rotations, we hope to
position ourselves as a “living museum” that provides fresh delights
and perspectives every visit.
There are occasions when certain exhibition rooms may be closed to
update the displays. We will post a notice on our webpage (in
Japanese) in such cases. Thank you for understanding.
The full schedule and list of artifacts on display within the next 3
months in our Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall is published on our
webpage in Japanese. Please note that this list is subject to
last-minute changes, and will be updated accordingly.
For more information, please refer to our list of works
on display (in Japanese).
* For more information on the list of works available for our
Special Exhibitions, please refer to the Special Exhibitions listed
on our main webpage.
At any time, there are about 800–1000 items on display in the
Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (4F). Most of these objects on
display are original artifacts.
We believe that museums are spaces for the display of original
artifacts, and take steps towards fulfilling this mission from the
first, beginning with the assembly of our collection. We utilize
reproductions of artifacts in limited instances where the narrative
of the exhibition is aided by the inclusion of certain essential
pieces. These items are clearly marked as reproductions. They are
created with materials and methods that best match the original, or
created as models when there are no remaining extant artifacts.
Artifacts which have been designated as National Treasures, or
Important Cultural Properties, by the Japanese Agency for Cultural
Affairs are clearly marked on the labels accompanying the display.
These artifacts, recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs for
their historical, cultural, or artistic value, may be especially
worthy of your time and attention.
If you ever find yourself wandering without an aim around the
exhibition room, we recommend checking out the Feature Exhibition(s)
within the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall. Feature Exhibitions
are seasonal, themed exhibitions that highlight the latest, original
findings from our researchers, or that center the newest trends in
research.
* For more information, please refer to our page on Special
and
Feature Exhibitions.
For visitors interested in finding out more about the history and background of our works on display, Museum Talks are fortnightly public seminars offered by our researchers on various historical topics, featuring different key artifacts. At the end of the talk, our researchers will also answer any questions you may have.
- Museum Talks: First, third, and fifth Tuesday of the month. Each session starts at 15:00, and lasts for about 30 minutes.
* For more information, please refer to our page on Museum Talks.
Information on our Special Exhibition (3F) schedule and pricing is available on our webpage. Please note that Special Exhibition tickets grant access to both the Special Exhibition (3F) and the Cultural Exchange Exhibition (Permanent Exhibition) (4F).
* For more information on our Special Exhibitions, please refer to the exhibitions listed on our main webpage.
As with the Cultural Exchange Exhibition, there may be display
rotations during Special Exhibitions.
Before coming to the museum, you may refer to our webpage for the
list of works showing, for more information on whether your favorite
pieces are currently on display.
No, the ticket will cost the same.
Our Special Exhibition tickets grant visitors access to both the
Special Exhibition Hall (3F) and the Cultural Exchange Exhibition
Hall (Permanent Exhibition) (4F). As with other national museums, we
offer complimentary access to the permanent exhibition with every
Special Exhibition ticket. For this reason, it will cost the same
even if you do not view the permanent exhibition.
Ajippa is our interactive exhibition gallery where visitors of
all
ages can learn about world cultures through fun, hands-on
experiences.
* For more information, please refer to the Ajippa
webpage.
* The name Ajippa comes from the Japanese words ajia (“Asia”) and
harappa (“field”), referring to the vast plains of Asia. The
Ajippa gallery is a lively space of encounters, where visitors can
engage their five senses and get up close and personal with the
cultures of Asian and European countries with historical relations
with Japan. Here, strum on instruments, play with toys, or try your
hand at handicrafts for an exciting and fun, never-before experience
at a museum.
Yes, we refresh part of the displays about once every
month.
Please feel free to check out official museum blog
(in Japanese)
for more information on what is on display. Taking inspiration
from the changing seasons and our exhibitions, we work hard with
our museum volunteers to bring you exciting exhibitions in our
themed Mini Gallery and Ajippa Hut. We promise visitors a fun
new experience each and every time.
The Ajippa team currently runs a number of workshops throughout the year. Our workshops include the Curator Experience, Archaeology Experience, and Introduction to Gamelan workshops. Open to visitors of all ages, these workshops are conducted in Japanese, and require registration in advance (first-come, first-served). For more information on these workshops, please refer to our events page (in Japanese).
Aside from these workshops, the team has also prepared handicraft-based Box Kits, which are available in the exhibition space and do not require pre-registration.
【Restaurant Iinoji】
Opening hours: 11:00–17:00
(Last Order Food 16:00 Drinks 16:30)
【Kyuhaku Garden Footbath and Teahouse】
Opening hours: 11:00–17:00 (Last Order at 16:00)
【Kyushu National Museum M Café】
Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 (Last Order at 16:30)
*Closing days (all 3 establishments): Mondays, in line with
museum
opening days. If a public or substitute holiday falls on a Monday,
the restaurant and museum will be open that day and closed on the
following working day.
* For menu offerings and more information, please refer to our page on our Restaurant and Café.
Our Museum Shop is located on Floor 1.
Opening hours: 10:00–17:00
(In line with the museum, the museum shop closes at 20:00 on Fridays
and Saturdays during Special Exhibitions)
For inquiries, please contact:
092ー918ー8818 (only in Japanese)
* For more information, please refer to our Museum Shop page (in Japanese).
Visitors who would like to learn more about wheelchair access and other accessible information, please refer to our page on Amenities and Accessibility.
Baby strollers are allowed into both the Special Exhibition Hall (3F) and Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition, 4F). For the safety of your children, we advise against the use of strollers in the museum during crowded periods.
We do not allow pets in the museum.
Assistance dogs (guide dogs, mobility service dogs, hearing dogs)
are allowed within the museum. Our Assistance Dog Toilet can be
found across the accessible parking.
Yes, you may take photos in the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall
(4F), and in Ajippa (Interactive Exhibition Gallery) (1F).
For more information, please refer to our photography
guidelines.
Please note that photography rules for Special Exhibitions vary by exhibition.
No eating is allowed within the museum.
- There are many benches and chairs located along the Satoyama nature trail, as well as pavilions and a resthouse outside the museum. Guests with bento may consume their meal there. Please refer to the map below.
- We kindly request that visitors bring their trash back with them as there are no garbage bins on our grounds.
Yes. The nursing room is on Floor 1.
Visitors who wish to use the nursing room should approach our staff
at the Information Counter on Floor 1.
Male visitors who wish to use the nursing room must speak to staff
at the Information Counter on Floor 1. This is as a courtesy to
female visitors who may be nursing in the room.
Yes.
There are diaper‐changing stations in all female bathrooms
and
accessible toilets.
Accessible toilets are usable by people of all genders.
Yes. The museum has indoor wheelchairs, baby strollers, and canes
available for rental use.
Please approach out staff at the Information Counter on Floor 1 to
borrow them. As these items are for indoor use, visitors are only to
use these items within the museum, and are not allowed to remove
them from the premises.
Yes. It is located on Floor 1, next to the seminar rooms.
You may only make or take calls in areas outside of the exhibition halls, such as in the rest areas and the lobbies. Please also set your phones to silent mode while in the museum.
Yes. There is free Wi-Fi available in almost all areas of the museum outside of the exhibition halls.
(Please refrain from making calls on your phone within the exhibition halls.)
No, reservations are not required.
Please purchase tickets at the museum on the day of your visit.
For more information, please refer to our page on Group Visits.
* Please note that as of 2020 the group admission fee for the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall has been discontinued.
While estimates vary depending on person, our visitors spend an average of 2 hours in the exhibition halls.
Our off-peak hours are generally from 15:30-17:00 on weekdays
(Tues-Thurs), although estimates may vary depending on the
exhibition.
During Special Exhibitions, our museum operates on Kyuhaku After
Five hours on Fridays and Saturdays (09:30–20:00). Coming in the
evening (17:00-20:00) may provide an opportunity for a more
leisurely visit.
* Please note that admission ends 30 minutes before closing
time.
* There may be occasions in which our museum does operate on
Kyuhaku After Five hours.
Re-entry is only possible for the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (4F). Please present your ticket stub to the counter staff upon re-entry.
Object names and explanations in the Cultural Exchange Exhibition
Hall (Floor 4) are available in Japanese, English, Chinese
(Simplified) and Korean.
Museum leaflets are available in English, Mandarin, Korean, French,
German, and Spanish. Please find them on our webpage or in the
museum.
Museum leaflets
Object names in the Special Exhibition Hall (Floor 3) are available in Japanese, English, Chinese (Simplified) and Korean.
Multilingual audio guides for the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall
are available via the NaviLens app.
* The app automatically translates into the language setting of your
smartphone.
For more information, please refer to our page on NaviLens
and
NaviLens GO.
Our event notices are published on our homepage. For more information, please refer to our Events page (only in Japanese).
Our staff at the counter at the Information Counter on Floor 1 are happy to assist you anytime. We look forward to your visit.
We conduct regular behind-the-scenes tours known as Backyard Tours.
These tours are currently only available in Japanese.
Please visit this
page for more information.
We recruit volunteers approximately every 3 years.
Those over 18 years of age are welcome to apply. Approval from a
parent or guardian is necessary for volunteers below the age of 18.
Please visit our Japanese FAQ page for more information.
Thank you for asking. You may freely link to our webpage URL:
https://www.kyuhaku.jp
If you do not mind, kindly send us the URL of your page with our linked homepage after you are done. You may do so through our contact form.
These categories refer to classes of tangible objects as determined by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs. This system was established following Japan’s Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties in 1950.
An Important Cultural Property refers to an artifact with important historic or artistic value to Japan, and can include buildings, paintings, sculptures, crafts, books, scripture, archival documents, archaeology materials, and historic materials.
A National Treasure refers to an artifact, which may be an Important Cultural Property, deemed to be of exceptionally high historical, cultural, or scholastic value to both Japanese and world cultures.
Please visit this page to learn more about the National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties currently in the collection of Kyushu National Museum.