Hirado Dutch Trading Post

The Hirado Dutch Trading Post (平戸オランダ商館), established in 1609 in Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture, was a pivotal site for the Dutch East India Company’s operations in Japan during the early Edo period. As the sole Western trading entity allowed in the country at that time, it played a crucial role in facilitating trade between Japan, China, and the Netherlands.

Strategically located, the trading post enabled the Dutch to engage in the exchange of valuable commodities such as silver, silk, and ceramics. Moreover, it served as a significant conduit for cultural exchange, with the Dutch introducing Western advancements in technology, medicine, and science to Japan.

The trading post’s existence, however, was short-lived, as it was closed down in 1641 due to the implementation of the Edo shogunate’s policy of national isolation. Despite its relatively brief operation, the Hirado Dutch Trading Post left a lasting impact on Japan’s history and international relations.

Today, the site stands as a popular tourist attraction and a designated National Historic Site. Visitors can explore the meticulously reconstructed warehouse and the informative exhibition hall, which houses artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations and documents pertaining to the Dutch East India Company’s activities. The reconstructed buildings and meticulously maintained garden provide a glimpse into the ambiance of the trading post during its peak.

In recognition of its historical significance, the Hirado Dutch Trading Post was included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2020, as part of the “Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki.”

The site is open to the public daily, except for Mondays and certain holidays. Visitors are invited to explore nearby historical attractions, such as Hirado Castle and the Matsura Historical Museum, to further delve into the rich history of Hirado and its interactions with the West.

Getting there

By Bus

• Take a direct bus from Sasebo Station to Hirado
• Travel time: About 90 minutes
• Fare: 1500 yen (one way)
• Frequency: Once per hour

By Train and Bus

1. From Sasebo Station, take the Matsuura Railway to Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station

• Travel time: About 80 minutes
• Fare: 1340 yen (one way)

1. Walk about 10 minutes from Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station to Hiradoguchi Sanbashi bus stop
2. Take a bus to Hirado city center

• Travel time: About 12 minutes
• Fare: 260 yen (one way)

Details

Hours	8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Reception closes at 5:00 PM.
Admission	General: 310 yen From elementary school to high school: 210 yen
Phone	+81 950-26-0636
Address	2477 Okubocho, Hirado, Nagasaki 859-5102
Official Website	https://hirado-shoukan.jp/