Mietsu Naval Dock

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.

Location: Saga

Inception: 1858

Part of: Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining

Website: https://sano-mietsu-historymuseum.city.saga.lg.jp/#mietsu

GPS coordinates: 33.20773,130.34012

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:25