Live Your Best Lives
  1. Travel Moments
  2. Asia
  3. Japan
  4. Kanagawa Prefecture
  5. Yokohama
  6. Nippon Maru Memorial Park

[Nippon Maru Memorial Park] (Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, formerly Musashi Province)



The provisions of the so-called "Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan" (1858), concluded between the American envoy Townsend Harris (1804-1878) and the Edo Shogunate, stipulated that "Kanagawa" would be added to the list of ports to be opened in June of the following year, in addition to the existing Shimoda and Hakodate. The topography of "Kanagawa", which is close to Edo and has a calm bay and is an excellent port of call, was attractive to envoys from other countries, and following the United States, other great powers such as Britain and France also concluded treaties with the Shogunate with the same content. However, when the deadline came, the port that was opened was "Yokohama Village" (the area centered on the current JR Kannai Station), about 4 km southeast of Kanagawa Port. As symbolized by the "Yoshida Shinden" developed in the early Edo period, Yokohama was merely a quiet village where people lived half as farmers and half as fishermen, and foreign governments, hoping for active trade by being adjacent to the bustling Tokaido, flooded the shogunate with protests. However, the shogunate insisted that Yokohama was "part of Kanagawa" and did not budge from its policy, dredging the mouth of the Ooka River to build a port. On June 2, 1858, the "Port of Yokohama" was officially opened, and the history of the major port city that would lead the development of the Japanese economy began.

It is said that the shogunate went to such lengths to open Yokohama in the first place, even resorting to sophistry, in order to avoid contact between travelers traveling along the Tokaido, especially the feudal domains on their alternate attendance tours, and foreign powers. On the other hand, while the envoys from other countries criticized the shogunate for its wrongdoings, it is said that merchants were rather keen to open the port of Yokohama, as the hills of Nogeyama to the north and Honmoku to the south and the deep waters off the coast of Yokohama made it an excellent harbor. Supporting evidence is the fact that, despite the strong requests of the envoys to set up consulates near Kanagawajuku, the consulates moved voluntarily to Yokohama, which quickly became a major trading center, and other countries soon stopped complaining. The "concession" that was formed in this way not only played a major role in the Japanese economy, but also became a stage for exchange where foreign culture and art keenly stimulated the curiosity of the Japanese people, whose curiosity soared after the opening of the country.

Yokohama's port facilities were initially centered around a wharf nicknamed "Zou no Hana" (Elephant's Trunk), but as trade became more active in the Meiji era, facilities such as Osanbashi Pier (1894) and Shinko Pier (from the end of the Meiji era onwards) were added. Gradually, the framework of a modern port city was established. These ceaseless port construction works were due to the worldwide increase in the size of ships, and this increase was aimed at transporting fuel resources and military supplies. In other words, if we carefully trace the size and order of construction of each wharf in Yokohama, it fits perfectly with the timeline of world history, and we can understand the inevitability of the port's development.

The Yokohama Port Museum (photos 2-5) provides a systematic explanation of the history of Yokohama. Based on the concept of "Yokohama Port in History and Life," the museum provides a visually rich explanation of the port's history and charm. The spatial design, based on white, is soft and familiar, yet highly elegant, with colors reminiscent of the port's brightness, the elegance of foreign culture, and the hull and sails of the neighboring Nippon Maru (photos 1, 6-10). The historical scenes of joy and sorrow that were brought to the port are colored on a white background according to the content, making it easy to grasp the impression of the matter, while maintaining a stress-free and skillful balance. The museum also houses a gallery for Ryohei Yanagihara (1931-2015), who moved to Yamate because of his love for Yokohama and made a name for himself with his ship-themed paintings and graphic designs. His style, which depicts the eloquent characters and ships with a distinctive bright touch and somehow gives viewers high hopes for the future, is also reminiscent of the current cityscape of Yokohama.
Leaving the museum, the sailing ship Nippon Maru lies with the Landmark Tower and other buildings of Minato Mirai in the background. During its 54 years of operation, Nippon Maru has traveled the equivalent of 45 times around the earth, sailing with a total of 11,500 trainees. Normally, the ship folds its sails and quietly watches over the city, but about 12 times a year it is "fully sailed." During this time, volunteers manually unfurl all 29 sails on the ship, and the process is carefully explained. Its neat appearance seems to show the pride of a sailor, and makes you want to straighten your back. And when all the sails are in full bloom under the clear blue sky, cheers break out at its graceful appearance, and the interaction between Yokohama and the people and ships passing by brings a strong sense of excitement that shakes your heart.

Recommended for solo travelers: ★★★ (There are a fair number of people, but it's a large place so it doesn't bother you)

Visit date: Around 2pm on the first Sunday of November

Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Sakuragicho Station

#Nippon Maru Memorial Park #Yokohama Port Museum #Nippon Maru #Yokohama Trip #Yokohama Sightseeing #Yokohama City #Kanagawa Trip #Kanagawa Sightseeing #Minato Mirai #Sakuragicho #Yokohama Port #Art Museum

Post by hanakin_kozakura | Nov 21, 2024

Related Travel Moments

Most Popular Travel Moments

Hot Attractions

Black Rock City
Tongbai
suspension bridge
Zhuo Village
Tombs of the Kings of Han and Chu
Yi Lake
Jinxiu Valley of the Garden Expo Park
SEA Aquarium
Water Curtain Cave in Huangguoshu Scenic Area
Hejiang Pavilion
Dabanshan
Mauna Kea