Mietsu Naval Dock, Military facility and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saga, Japan.
Mietsu Naval Dock is a 19th-century shipbuilding site on Saga's coast with remains of a dry dock, metal furnaces, and wooden structures demonstrating early maritime engineering techniques. The grounds include a museum with exhibits covering the early period of Japanese naval shipbuilding.
The naval dock was established in 1858 during the late Edo Period and played a key role when Japan adopted and modernized Western shipbuilding techniques. The facility captures the moment when Japanese maritime power shifted from traditional methods to industrialized processes.
The site marks Japan's shift toward modern shipbuilding practices and shows how traditional craftsmanship merged with Western methods. The Sano Tsunetami and Mietsu Naval Dock History Museum on the grounds tells the story of how maritime work changed during this transformative period.
The grounds sit near Saga city and are best reached by bus routes that run regularly from a major train station. An on-site restaurant and gift shop make visits comfortable for a few hours.
Excavations in 2009 uncovered original structures that were then reburied for protection, making the physical dock invisible to visitors. Today the museum tells the story of what lies beneath, giving context to the hidden layers below ground.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Saga Castle
5.5 km
Yanagawa Castle
7.7 km
Chikugo River Lift Bridge
2.2 km
Tachibana Garden
7.8 km
Tsuiji Reverberatory Furnace
7.1 km
Palace of Wind and Waves
4.4 km
Don-Don-Don no Mori
7.4 km
Kōden-ji
6.3 km
Fukugon-ji
8.2 km
Saga Prefectual Library
5.9 km蓮池城
4.6 km
Hakushū Kitahara's Birthplace
7.4 km
Saga City Public Library
7.4 km
Ryōsei-ji
7.5 km
Saga Prefectural Government Office
6 km
Saga Prefectural Art Museum
5.6 km
Saga Castle Park
5.4 km
Ryūzōji-hachinamgū
6.6 km
Ryūtai-ji
6.1 km
Saga Balloon Museum
6.2 km
Former Residence of the Toshima Family
7.4 km
Saga Prefectural Museum
5.5 km
Saga University Art Museum
6 km
Chōkokan
6.1 km
旧古賀銀行
6 km
Tachibana Museum
7.6 km
Yanagawa, the City of Water
7.7 km
有明筑後川大橋
1.8 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes