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Kumamoto University Museum

　The former main building of the Fifth High School, now the Memorial Museum, is the symbol of Kumamoto University. The building has been designated as an Important Cultural Property, along with the Chemical Laboratory, the Red Gate, and the Museum of the Engineering Faculty. We also preserve the tangible cultural properties of the Yamazaki Memorial Hall on the Honjo campus and the Kumayaku Museum on the Oe campus. We are planning to create the “Kumamoto University Museum” which will consist of these buildings and artifacts. As the first step in this process, the university initiated the renewal of the Memorial Museum of The Fifth High School in 2006, and is now gathering historical documents and materials. An exhibit is now opened to the public.

　The original function was the education of young men at classrooms in the Fifth Middle High School. The school was established as the most prominent education institution in Kyushu in 1887. Jigoro Kano, Yakumo Koizumi (Lafcadio Hearn) as well as Soseki Natsume were among the more celebrated professors who taught here. Even after 100 years, the original Fifth High School building is still well-maintained and very much appreciated by the public.

Hours	10:00 – 16:00 (Entrance allowed up to 15:30)
Days Closed	Every Tuesday, August Obon holidays Year-end and New Year’s holidays National holidays between November and February only
Admission	Free

http://www.goko.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/ (Japanese only)

　The front gate of the Fifth High School is popularly known as the Red Gate (AKAMON) and is still dignified main gate of the north campus of Kumamoto University.


　This building was used as the lab for chemical experiments. There is a row of labs and as well as a tiered lecture hall with a corridor situated on the west side.


　This building was construted in 1908 as a machine shop for students of the former Kumamoto Junior College of Technology. The exhibits include various machines and tools still in working condition. The public is welcome to visit the museum during Open Campus Days and the College Festival.