Kunitomo Gun Museum

The Kunitomo Gun Museum is a history museum in Nagahama that displays roughly 40 historical firearms from the Edo period. Most pieces were crafted by artisans who worked in this region and represent the local gunmaking tradition.

After Portuguese merchants brought firearms to Japan in 1543, the Shogun ordered blacksmiths in Kunitomo to manufacture similar weapons. This command started a craft tradition that would continue in the region for several centuries.

The place reflects how local craftsmen shaped their region through generations of passed-down skills and knowledge. Walking through the exhibits, you sense how this craft defined the community and its identity over time.

The museum is within walking distance from Nagahama Station and sits near other historical sites in the city. It helps to check ahead if the place is temporarily closed for special events or maintenance work.

A special section displays inventions by Kunitomo Ikkansai, a brilliant craftsman who designed advanced airguns and telescopes in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His creations show how innovative the local technicians were for their era.

Location: Nagahama

Official opening: October 10, 1987

Address: 534 Kunitomocho, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0001

Phone: +81749621250

Website: https://kunitomo-teppo.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.40896,136.28249

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:43