Mietsu Naval Arsenal Ruins

Mietsu Naval Dock Site

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A precious historical site where you can see Japan's oldest Western-style dry dock, built by the Saga Domain during the late Edo period, showcasing their adoption of Western technology.

Historic Sites
National Treasure

Tourist destination images of Mietsu Naval Arsenal Ruins(1)

Tourist destination images of Mietsu Naval Arsenal Ruins(2)

HighlightsSee Japan's oldest Western-style dry dock
Experience the technological innovations of the late Edo-era Saga Domain
Explore the remains of training grounds for navigation and shipbuilding
Learn about the history of the Mietsu Naval Arsenal and Sano Tsunetomi's achievements at the Sano Tsunetomi Memorial Museum
Enjoy a stroll through the surrounding historical sites and scenic parks

Basic Information

Address: 446-1 Hayatsukaetsu, Kawasoe-machi, Saga City, Saga Prefecture, Japan Sano Tsunetomi Memorial Museum Search for tourist attractions in Saga

Access: ・Kyushu Saga International Airport → 10-minute taxi or rental car ride ・Fukuoka Tenjin → Take the Nishitetsu train to Yanagawa Station, then the Nishitetsu bus (Okinushin Line) to Hayatsukae bus stop (30 minutes), 5-minute walk ・By car → 40-minute drive from Saga Yamato IC on the Nagasaki Expressway Show route

Op.Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Cld.Days: Mondays (the following day if a national holiday falls on a Monday), Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29th - January 3rd)

Fee: Free admission (some exhibitions have an admission fee)

INFO: Parking is available at the Sano Tsunetami Memorial Museum. Rental of mie tsu SCOPE equipment ends at 4:30 PM.

HP: http://mietsu-sekaiisan.jp/

Overview

The Mietsu Naval Arsenal Ruins are the remnants of a modern naval facility constructed in 1858 by the Saga Domain to counter the growing threat of Western powers. Under the Sakoku (closed country) policy, the Saga Domain, responsible for guarding Nagasaki, felt the pressure of Western influence and the need to build a countervailing force. This led to the establishment of the Mietsu Naval Arsenal, initially as a shipbuilding and training center (Gosente Keikojo), utilizing knowledge and skills gained at the Nagasaki Naval Training Center. The Mietsu Naval Arsenal incorporated cutting-edge technology for its time, featuring Japan's oldest Western-style dry dock, training grounds for navigation and shipbuilding, and workshops for manufacturing Western-style ship components. Here, you can sense the passion, ingenuity, and proactive adoption of Western technology by the Saga Domain's engineers. The dry dock, in particular, was exceptionally advanced for its time, innovatively combining traditional Japanese techniques with Western technology, utilizing the tidal differences of the Ariake Sea to move vessels in and out. The Mietsu Naval Arsenal Ruins represent a crucial landmark in Japan's modernization. Learning about the technological innovations and the Saga Domain's westernization efforts deepens your understanding of Japanese history and culture. The surrounding area also features the Sano Tsunetomi Memorial Museum and scenic parks, offering a blend of history and nature.