Okuma Shigenobu Memorial Hall & Okuma Shigenobu's Former Residence (Birthplace)

Overview

Okuma Shigenobu was born into a Saga clan samurai family and spent his childhood in this former residence. After the Meiji Restoration, he became a prominent statesman who significantly contributed to Japan's modernization and is also known as the founder of Waseda University. This former residence is a valuable building that retains the atmosphere of a samurai-class house of that era and is designated as a national historic site. You can visit the rooms where Shigenobu spent his childhood and the study where he is said to have studied. The adjacent Okuma Shigenobu Memorial Hall exhibits his life and achievements with valuable materials such as photographs, letters, and speech drafts. You can learn in detail about his political ideology, educational philosophy, and the path to the founding of Waseda University. The memorial hall also features various videos and exhibits related to Shigenobu, allowing for a deeper understanding of his accomplishments. By visiting Okuma Shigenobu's former residence and the memorial hall, you can learn about the life of a great statesman who significantly contributed to Japan's modernization and deepen your understanding of history.