It is a very famous story that the Shogunate was established in Kamakura , about 830 years ago. Although many historical and cultural legacies were left behind, there has never been a museum in Kamakura that introduces local history with excavated artifacts. We want to learn not from literature, but by actually seeing the history of Kamakura. The "Kamakura History and Culture Exchange Center," which opened in May of this year, seems to be the answer to this dilemma.
This facility is located in a quiet residential area on the way from Kamakura Station to Zenarai Benzaiten. A feature of this facility is that it introduces the history of Kamakura, not only the period when the shogunate flourished, but also from primitive times to modern times.
The exhibition spaces are divided chronologically, such as the Medieval Exhibition Hall and the Early Modern/Modern Exhibition Hall, so that visitors can learn about the transition of the land and culture in turn. Of particular interest is a three-dimensional map of Kamakura City that makes full use of projection mapping. The projection of historical events on the diorama is a must-see.
Another attraction of the "Kamakura History and Culture Exchange Center" is the architecture itself. The building, which was once a private residence, was designed by Foster + Partners, headed by the renowned British architect Norman Foster. . More recently, the firm is known for its work on Apple's new building. The building was renovated before the opening of the new facility, but the work was kept to a minimum, and Foster + Partners has created a "harmony between nature and artifice" by calculating how the landscape and light should be seen and felt. The project was completed with a minimum of renovation.
The "Kamakura History and Culture Exchange Center" is a place where you can enjoy not only the exhibits but also the space itself. Please visit this place, which can be called a new landmark.
Text_Rei Kawahara
Kamakura History and Culture Exchange Center
Address: 1-5-1 Ougigaya, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture (about 7 minutes walk from Kamakura Station)
Hours: 10:00-16:00 (admission until 15:30)
Closed: Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, exhibition change periods, etc.
Admission: ¥300 for adults , ¥100 for elementary and junior high school students
*Free admission for elementary and junior high school students in Kamakura, city residents 65 years old or older, and those with a physical disability certificate and one accompanying person.
