Exhibition: JAPAN: BETWEEN THE OCEAN & THE SEAS

24 August - 2 November 2026
Open weekdays 09:30am – 5:30pm
Closed weekends and 31 Aug, 21-22 Sep, 12 Oct
Free admission (Photo ID required)
Advance bookings can be made here

Whether you are booking in advance or visiting as a walk-in, please check our Eventbrite page for the exhibition opening dates and times before your visit. If a date or time is not shown on the Eventbrite page, the exhibition room is closed.

Exploring Japan’s identity, culture, and history through its surrounding waters

Surrounded entirely by the sea, Japan has interwoven its history and culture with the ocean.  For an island country, the sea has functioned as a continuous force impacting Japan’s connection to the world, its daily life, and the pioneering development of its industries. 




This exhibition explores how the seas and ocean of Japan have shaped the country from its early days to the modern era. Moving from mythological origins and coastal daily life to global overseas connections and modern pop culture, it presents a nation defined by its surrounding waters. 



Walking through the exhibition, visitors will witness the dual nature of the ocean as both a protective barrier and an open highway, as the exhibition traces how the nation's relationship with the sea is woven into traditional stories, current policies, crafts, and fine art.