On
display at the history museum are 20,000 years of Yokohama history,
from primitive times through the ancient, medieval and modern
ages. Besides the usual exhibits housed in glass cases there are
others that appeal to the visitor's senses more directly.
Director Uno showed us to a spacious cylindrical room. The ceiling
is supported by 8 columns at the center, around which are arranged
eight areas separated by walls. Altogether this makes up a permanent
exhibit room. Visitors start out by entering the time travel zone,
where they see images depicting the long history of Yokohama distilled
into 15 minutes. At this time the room is still without equipment,
of course, but there are seats for around 80 persons, giving it
the appearance of a small theater.
Upon exiting this area, visitors make their way through six areas
that take them through history. In order to capture the flavor
of each age there are highly realistic models, along with actual
historical artifacts, manufactured goods and panels of photographs.
In these areas the visitors get a more detailed look at each of
the ages shown briefly in the time travel zone. Then in the eighth
room they can see the history of Yokohama on video. There is also
a centrally located study salon, which besides providing a place
to rest makes available pamphlets and other information on the
museum and lets visitors touch pottery and the like.
