Sail Tower

The JMSDF Sasebo Museum is a museum in Sasebo, Nagasaki, dedicated to materials related to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the former Imperial Japanese Navy, and it is also known as “Sail Tower.” Part of the former “Sasebo Suikosha,” originally built in 1898 (Meiji 31) as a gathering hall for naval officers, was restored, and a new wing was added to preserve and pass on historical materials from the former Imperial Navy. The museum thoroughly presents the history and activities of the JMSDF and the former navy, making it well worth visiting. The museum has seven floors: 1F has a shop and special exhibits, 2F covers Antarctic research vessels and disaster dispatch, 3F focuses on JMSDF ships and their history, 4F covers the Pacific War, 5F covers the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, 6F covers the history of the Nagasaki Navy and the establishment of the Sasebo Naval District, and 7F is an observation and video hall. Themes are clearly organized by era and topic. Access: by public transportation, take the bus from JR Sasebo Station and get off at “Sasebo General Medical Center Entrance,” then walk about 2 minutes; it is also about a 10-minute taxi ride from JR Sasebo Station. By car, it is about 5 minutes from Nishi-Kyushu Expressway Sasebo Chuo IC via Route 35 and the Matsuura intersection.