A Historic Former Police Station
The building now occupied by the Kaiyu Cultural Museum was completed in 1887 as the Ushimado Branch of the Saidaiji Police Station in Okayama Prefecture. Its design is an example of giyōfū architecture, a style that incorporates Western architectural elements interpreted through traditional Japanese building techniques.
The building continued to serve as the main headquarters of Ushimado Police Station until 1977. A gold police emblem remains prominently displayed on the front of the building, providing a striking reminder of its original purpose.
Recognizing its historical and architectural importance, the building was designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan on July 23, 1998. The structure itself is an important part of Ushimado’s heritage, allowing visitors to appreciate the atmosphere and craftsmanship of the Meiji period (1868–1912).
Exhibitions and Collections
The museum’s collections focus on two important aspects of Ushimado’s history: the Korean diplomatic missions known as the Joseon Tongsinsa, which visited Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868), and the town’s distinctive boat-shaped festival floats, known as danjiri. Together, these exhibits reveal Ushimado’s role as a center of maritime activity and international cultural exchange.
Danjiri Exhibition Room
Nakaura Danjiri was made in 1866 and features a boat-shaped design crowned with a kirin, a mythical creature in East Asian tradition. It is designated an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.
Oki Danjiri was made in 1875 and features a boat-shaped design with a dragon’s head. Like the Nakaura float, it is designated an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.
These elaborate festival floats demonstrate the craftsmanship and distinctive maritime traditions that developed in Ushimado’s port community.
Joseon Tongsinsa Exhibition Room
One of the notable exhibits is a puppet associated with Karako Odori, a traditional dance designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture. The dance reflects cultural influences associated with the Joseon diplomatic missions and serves as a reminder of the exchanges between Japan and Korea during the Edo period.
The Joseon Tongsinsa traveled from Korea to Japan on diplomatic missions, and their journeys helped foster political and cultural relations. Ushimado’s history as a port of call makes it an important place to explore this chapter of East Asian history.
Architectural Features
The historic building was completed in 1887 under the direction of an architectural committee that included Shinichi Kagawa. It is a single-story wooden structure with a roof covered in traditional Japanese tiles and a Japanese-style timber roof framework.
The building has a floor area of approximately 247 square meters. Its combination of Western-inspired design elements and traditional Japanese construction techniques illustrates the architectural experimentation of the Meiji period.
Part of Minato Oasis Ushimado
On March 24, 2018, the area around Ushimado Port was registered as Minato Oasis Ushimado, a designation that recognizes ports and their surrounding communities as places for visitors to enjoy local attractions, culture, and hospitality. The Kaiyu Cultural Museum is one of the facilities included in this waterfront initiative.
As part of this network, the museum helps preserve and share Ushimado’s maritime heritage while contributing to the appeal of the port area as a visitor destination. Exploring the museum is an excellent way to understand the town’s history before strolling through its streets and waterfront.
Discover Ushimado’s Cultural Heritage
With its distinctive former police station building, historic festival floats, and exhibits on Japan–Korea cultural exchange, the Kaiyu Cultural Museum offers a fascinating look at Ushimado’s past. Visitors interested in local history, traditional festivals, and historic architecture will find it a rewarding stop in this atmospheric port town on the Seto Inland Sea.