Dejima Tourism

Dejima was a small, fan-shaped artificial island in the port of Nagasaki, Japan, constructed in 1634 to confine foreign traders. Initially built to house Portuguese traders, it became the single place of direct trade and exchange between Japan and the outside world during the Edo period as Japan adopted a policy of national isolation (sakoku). Dejima was not only a commercial hub but also a window for cultural and knowledge exchange between Japan and the Western world, mainly the Dutch, after the Portuguese were expelled. The island was staffed by Dutch employees of the Dutch East India Company and Japanese interpreters, with a layout meticulously planned to include warehouses, residences, and offices. After Japan's reopening in the 19th century, the island's role diminished, and it was eventually absorbed into the city of Nagasaki. Today, Dejima is not an island anymore due to land reclamation but serves as a historical museum where visitors can learn about the exchange of culture, knowledge, and trade during Japan's period of isolation.