Zenrin Museum

The Zenrin Museum is a museum of maps located on the 14th floor of the River Walk Kitakyushu complex in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. There are exhibits of a variety of maps inside, including maps of Japan called Inozu that were made by Ino Tadataka during the Edo period, other domestically-made maps, and Western maps of Japan made during the 16th~19th centuries. A particularly valuable map is the Blancus/Moreira Map of Japan, which is the earliest accurate map of Japan as well as the only copy in the world that has ever been found. Aiming to be "an introduction of maps that reflect history," the collections at this museum allow visitors to learn about the resonance of maps while feeling the flow of history. Also make sure to check out the Map Design Gallery on the first floor where map motif goods are available for purchase; map aficionados in particular may be able to find some irresistible items.