Gyokusen-ji Foreigners' Cemetery
Japan's first foreign housing complex, where Townsend Harris lived in isolation as the first American Consul General.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Gyokusen-ji Foreigners' Cemetery
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Japan's first foreign housing complex, where Townsend Harris lived in isolation as the first American Consul General.
"It's a quiet and relaxing place, moving to think that Harris was here 170 years ago."
🎯 Finding the Entrance
Turn off the main road onto a narrow street. Look for the free parking lot for about 10 cars to help locate it.
🎟️ Harris Memorial Hall Entry
Entry to the memorial hall is 500 yen and includes an interesting 20-page picture-story explanation.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Townsend Harris Memorial Hall
Onsite
Explore exhibits detailing the life of the first American Consul General to Japan. Photography is prohibited inside.
Original Foreign Housing
Main Hall
See the preserved rooms where Townsend Harris and his interpreter lived, offering a glimpse into their isolation.
Temple Grounds and Stained Glass
Temple Hall
A peaceful sanctuary with beautiful stained glass windows and a quiet atmosphere for reflection.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Finding This Historic Gem
Understanding the History
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Finding the Entrance
Turn off the main road onto a narrow street. Look for the free parking lot for about 10 cars to help locate it.
🎟️ Harris Memorial Hall Entry
Entry to the memorial hall is 500 yen and includes an interesting 20-page picture-story explanation.
🤫 Photography Rules
Remember that photography is prohibited inside the Harris Memorial Hall.
🙏 Temple Seal
You can request a temple seal at the reception desk of the Harris Memorial Hall.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Finding the Entrance
Turn off the main road onto a narrow street. Look for the free parking lot for about 10 cars to help locate it.
🎟️ Harris Memorial Hall Entry
Entry to the memorial hall is 500 yen and includes an interesting 20-page picture-story explanation.
🤫 Photography Rules
Remember that photography is prohibited inside the Harris Memorial Hall.
🙏 Temple Seal
You can request a temple seal at the reception desk of the Harris Memorial Hall.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find Gyokusen-ji a quiet and reflective place, offering a unique glimpse into Japan's early interactions with the West. The Harris Memorial Hall is praised for its detailed exhibits and engaging historical narrative, though some note the temple itself is smaller than expected. The challenging location is a minor drawback for some.
"The museum display is heavily focused on Townsend Harris. But visitors should know that Gyokusenji was the first foreigner housing complex in Tokugawa Japan. In 1854 it housed in succession the Russian diplomatic delegation whose ship Diana was destroyed by a tsunami, an American mercantile expedition on the Caroline E. Foote, a German entrepreneur August Ludorf who traded in Shimoda for six months and ultimately the businessman turned diplomat Townsend Harris! Then Shimoda slipped back into obscurity until the new roads and Goto's Izukyu connected it with Showa."
Paul Hoff
"You learn about the US forcing the Japanese to open up but it was a different experience seeing the place in person."
Jeff L
"After climbing the stairs and passing through the gate, you can see the main hall. It is a quiet and relaxing place. After praying, I asked for a temple seal at the reception desk of the Harris Memorial Hall on the right.
Photography is prohibited in the memorial hall. There are many exhibits, and the stained glass was beautiful."
きんぎょ
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
It's located on a narrow street off the main road. Look for a free parking lot for about 10 cars along the street, which can help you pinpoint the entrance.
Yes, there is a free parking lot for approximately 10 cars available along the street near the entrance.
While specific public transport details aren't widely shared, driving and using the nearby parking is recommended by visitors.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the temple grounds is generally free, but the Townsend Harris Memorial Hall has an admission fee of 500 yen.
Specific opening hours are not always clearly stated, but visitors have reported visiting on Saturday afternoons. It's best to check locally if possible.
Yes, you can obtain a temple seal at the reception desk of the Harris Memorial Hall.
Photography is prohibited inside the Harris Memorial Hall, but generally permitted on the temple grounds.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can explore the main hall, which served as Japan's first foreign housing complex, and visit the Harris Memorial Hall with its exhibits on Townsend Harris. The temple grounds are quiet and peaceful.
Gyokusen-ji was the first place in Tokugawa Japan to house foreigners, including diplomatic delegations and merchants, most notably Townsend Harris, the first American Consul General.
Yes, visitors find the 20-page picture-story explanation in the Harris Memorial Hall very interesting and enjoyable, offering a unique perspective on history.
The temple is smaller than some might expect, but it's a moving experience to stand in the place where significant historical events unfolded.
Townsend Harris lived in isolation, being the sole American representative for over 18 months with no contact from home, making his diplomatic mission particularly challenging.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider it a stop for a brief, educational detour rather than a primary family attraction. The manageable size of the temple grounds means it won't be an overwhelming visit, and the story of Townsend Harris's isolation can be a compelling narrative for children to learn about perseverance.
🏛️ History Buffs
The Harris Memorial Hall is particularly valuable, offering detailed insights into the challenges faced by the first American Consul General. The preserved living quarters offer a unique, almost tangible connection to the past. Don't miss the opportunity to read the comprehensive picture-story explanation provided.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Isolation of Townsend Harris
His lodgings were within the main hall of the temple, a space that also housed Buddhist statues, adding to the unique cultural and spiritual environment he navigated. Despite the profound isolation and cultural differences, Harris diligently pursued his mission to conclude a trade agreement with Japan, leveraging the perceived power of the United States and the threat of Western military intervention.
His efforts, combined with the Shogunate's understanding of military realities following the Opium Wars, eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan, opening Yokohama to trade. This pivotal period at Gyokusen-ji lasted just over two years and ten months before Harris moved to Edo.
Gyokusen-ji: A Historic First
Later, a German entrepreneur named August Ludorf used it as a base for his trading activities in Shimoda for six months. These early encounters set the stage for more formal diplomatic relations. The temple's role as a point of contact between Japan and the West during this era of enforced isolation is a significant part of its historical narrative.
The site offers a tangible connection to this period of transition, allowing visitors to reflect on the complex interactions and pressures that led to Japan's eventual opening to the world. The Harris Memorial Hall further elaborates on these historical events with detailed exhibits.
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