Rai San'yō Historic Site Museum

The Rai San'yō Historic Site Museum is a biographical museum in Fukuromachi, Hiroshima, displaying personal belongings, calligraphy, letters, and books of the Edo-period historian. The building was established in 1935 on the grounds of the former Rai family residence and maintains traditional Japanese architectural style.

The museum was founded in 1935 and honors Rai San'yō, a prominent Edo-period historian who wrote his scholarly work Nihon Gaishi during years of confinement. His work shaped how people understood Japanese history in the 18th century.

The Kyoshitsu room shows where Rai San'yō spent five years writing his celebrated work Nihon Gaishi during a period of self-imposed isolation. The space gives you a sense of his daily work and the conditions under which he created.

Access to the museum is straightforward, with galleries arranged in a clear layout so visitors can move through easily. The surrounding garden is also accessible and offers a quiet setting between exhibition areas.

The museum garden holds a Kurogane holly tree that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and sprouted new growth four years later. The tree stands as a symbol of resilience and renewal after destruction.

Location: Fukuromachi

Official opening: December 1935

Part of: Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of History

Address: 広島県広島市中区袋町5-15

Website: https://pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/raisanyou

GPS coordinates: 34.39138,132.45724

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:01