About Tsuruga Municipal Museum

The Tsuruga Municipal Museum initially opened as the Tsuruga History and Folklore Archives Center in 1978. In 1993, the name of the museum was changed, and the museum reopened after the restoration project of the building was carried out from 2012 to 2015.

The museum includes archeological artifacts, historical documents, folklore material, and artwork regarding Tsuruga. The building of the museum is designated as Japan’s “Important Cultural Property.” The conservation and utilization of these works of art are the main missions of the museum.

As it had a natural sea port, Tsuruga developed as a port town. Through the Tsuruga port, trading was facilitated between Korea and China in ancient times. The trading ship Kitamae-bune and the poet Matsuo Basho traveled to Tsuruga in the early modern period. Polish and Jewish refugees escaped to Tsuruga port in the modern period. On the other hand, Tsuruga was involved in some wars because of its location. The No. 19 infantry regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army was stationed at Tsuruga and a bomb fell on Tsuruga during World War II.

The museum directors and employees explore these historical cultural resources and publish the results of this research worldwide to pass on important cultural knowledge to future generations.