Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum

The Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum is a biographical museum in Shimo-Tebaka dedicated to a major Japanese business figure and philanthropist. It houses letters, photographs, and personal belongings that document his life, along with a research library and two original buildings from the Taisho period.

Shibusawa lived through Japan's major transformation and played a key role in building the country's modern economy during the Meiji period. The museum preserves records of how he shaped banking, industry, and trade.

The displays show how Shibusawa believed business should serve society's good, an idea that shaped how Japan developed economically. Visitors can see this philosophy reflected in his personal writings and the objects he left behind.

The museum is straightforward to navigate, with clearly organized exhibition spaces and information usually available in multiple languages. It helps to set aside plenty of time if you want to explore the research library or spend time looking at the historic buildings in detail.

The museum grounds include two small buildings from the early 1900s: the Bankoro Cottage and the Seien Bunko Library, both recognized as Important Cultural Properties. They reveal how Shibusawa designed private spaces for study and reflection.