Dejima: The Artificial Fan-Shaped Island That Served as a Gateway to the West in the Edo Period

Dejima: A Small Island That Connected Isolated Japan with the West

"Dejima" in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, is an artificial island constructed by the shogunate in 1636 (Kanei 13) for Portuguese residence and management. After the Dutch East India Company trading post was relocated there in 1641, it functioned as Japan's only "Western trade gateway." Dutch merchants resided for over 200 years in the fan-shaped artificial island approximately 200 meters east-west by approximately 70 meters north-south, conducting trade between Japan and the Netherlands.

Dejima's Role and Cultural Exchange

Western culture brought to Japan through Dejima spans many fields. Modern knowledge including medicine (Dutch medicine), astronomy, surveying, and gunnery spread to Japan as "rangaku (Dutch learning)." Many Western scholars including Siebold (physician and naturalist) conducted research on Japanese culture through Dejima.

Restored Dejima

Restoration work on Dejima began in 1996, and currently 16 buildings have been restored including "Ichibansen Kura," "Kapitan Heya (trading post chief's quarters)," and "Rangan Ruins." Inside the buildings, trade goods, daily items, and documents from that era are exhibited, allowing experience of Edo period Dejima life.

Dejima Wharf and Surrounding Tourism

"Dejima Wharf" adjacent to Dejima is a Nagasaki food spot lined with restaurants and shops. Also near "Shinchi Chinatown" and "Glover Garden" in Nagasaki city, allowing combined tourism.

Access

Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Nagasaki Electric Tram "Dejima Station." Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Nagasaki Station.