A short walk from Tokyo Station, a monument quietly commemorates Miura Anjin (William Adams). This page explores the story behind this historic site. If you have a bit of spare time—perhaps while waiting for a Shinkansen—it’s well worth a brief visit.
🚉 How to Get Here: Tokyo Station
From Haneda Airport (HND)
Approx. travel time: 36 minutes
Fare: 690 yen
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Site of William Adams’ Residence & Anjin Street (Nihonbashi, Tokyo)
⭐ Recommended Rating
Historical Significance: ★★
Visual Appeal: ★
Experiential Value: ★★
In the early Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu granted the English navigator William Adams (Miura Anjin) a residence in Muromachi, Nihonbashi, appointing him as a hatamoto (direct retainer). Today, a modest monument marks the site, and the street name “Anjin-dori” preserves its legacy. As introduced in Anjin’s main profile, this site offers a glimpse into his influence on Tokugawa governance—tucked within the modern urban landscape.
| Year Erected | 1930 (Designated as a historic site by Tokyo Metropolitan Government) |
|---|---|
| Rebuilt | 1951 (Reconstructed after wartime damage by local volunteers) |
| Structure & Features | Stone monument with bilingual (Japanese and English) inscription |
| Current Condition | Well-maintained, quietly located between buildings |
| Cultural Designation | Historic Site of Tokyo |
| Notes | Reflects the early Edo period ambiance amidst the surrounding cityscape |
🗺 Address: 1-10-8 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo
🚶 Access:
15-minute walk (approx. 1 km) from Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station
⏳ Suggested Visit Time
Approx. 2–10 minutes
📍 Highlights
- Historic Monument: Site of Miura Anjin’s Residence: Bilingual inscription quietly honors Anjin’s contributions. The current stone was reconstructed after WWII by local volunteers.
- Anjin-dori Street: Even utility poles are marked with the name “Anjin-dori,” evoking the former town name “Anjin-cho.” The Edo era lives on through this modest street.
- A Pocket of History Amid the City: Nestled between office buildings, this small yet significant site surprises visitors with its contrast to the modern surroundings.
📌 Trivia
- Former Town Name: Anjin-cho: The area was officially known as “Anjin-cho” until 1932, which inspired the name “Anjin-dori.”
- Monument’s History: Destroyed in the war and rebuilt in 1951 with English text. It was officially designated a historic site by Tokyo in 1955.
- Connection to “Shōgun”: The protagonist John Blackthorne (played by Hiroyuki Sanada) was modeled in part on Anjin. The residence site has drawn renewed attention thanks to the series’ popularity.
Anjin’s presence—symbolic of Edo’s early global connections—quietly endures within modern Tokyo. This spot is a perfect addition to any walk exploring the city’s layered history.
De Liefde Ship Monument (Marunouchi Building)
⭐ Recommended Rating
Historical Significance: ★★
Visual Appeal: ★★
Experiential Value: ★
The De Liefde Ship Monument is a bronze sculpture inspired by the Dutch merchant ship “De Liefde,” which drifted ashore in early Edo-period Japan. The ship famously carried William Adams (Miura Anjin) and Jan Joosten, who would later play influential roles in Japan’s international diplomacy. Located adjacent to the Marunouchi Building in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward (2‑4‑1 Marunouchi), it’s just a 1-minute walk from Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi South Exit.
This monument was gifted to the Japanese government by the Kingdom of the Netherlands on April 22, 1980, during the visit of Prime Minister Dries van Agt. It was established as a commemorative tribute to the arrival of De Liefde in Japan in 1600 and symbolizes the early diplomatic relations between Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Dutch.
| Year Built | 1980 (Showa 55) |
|---|---|
| Builder | Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (gifted) |
| Structure & Features | Bronze sailing ship sculpture |
| Restoration History | None |
| Current Condition | Well-preserved |
| Damage or Loss | None |
| Cultural Property Status | Not designated (commemorative monument) |
| Notes | Located behind the bike parking area on the southeast side of Marunouchi Building |
🗺 Address: 2‑4‑1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
🚶 Access:
Nearest Station: 1-minute walk (approx. 0.1 km) from Tokyo Station (JR & Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Marunouchi South Exit)
⏳ Suggested Visit Duration
Quick stop: approx. 5 minutes
In-depth visit: approx. 10 minutes
📍 Highlights
- Bronze Ship Sculpture: The intricately crafted model of the De Liefde conveys movement and detail, standing out amid the modern cityscape.
- Historical Marker Plaque: Provides background on the ship’s arrival and the monument’s donation, in both Dutch and Japanese, offering immediate context for visitors.
- Seasonal Highlights: In spring, cherry blossoms; in autumn, vibrant foliage from nearby Imperial Palace gardens enhances the monument’s beauty in contrast with the urban setting.
📌 Trivia
- Unexpected Historical Detail: The De Liefde was the first Dutch ship to arrive in Japan. Jan Joosten, one of its crew members, became a trusted advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu and lent his name to the Yaesu district. William Adams (Miura Anjin) also became a key figure in diplomacy and navigation.
- Hidden Gem: The monument is somewhat tucked away behind the Marunouchi Building’s bicycle parking area and is easy to overlook for passersby.
- Connection to Historic Figures: William Adams, an Englishman, served Tokugawa Ieyasu as a diplomatic and maritime advisor and became known as the “Samurai with Blue Eyes.” Jan Joosten also served as a diplomat and is remembered in the name “Yaesu.”
Jan Joosten Memorial Statue (Yaesu Underground Mall)
Statue of Jan Joosten
Created by Dutch sculptor L.P.J. BraatJan Joosten was a Dutchman who arrived in Japan in the year 1600 after his Dutch ship was wrecked off the coast of Bungo (present-day Oita Prefecture). He settled in Japan and gained the trust of Tokugawa Ieyasu, serving as an advisor on foreign diplomacy and trade.
His residence in Edo (now Tokyo) was located near the outer moat of Wadakura Gate. The area later came to be known as “Yayosu-gashi” (Yayosu Wharf) in honor of his name, which eventually evolved into “Yaesu.”
This statue was erected in remembrance of his legacy.
The Dutchman Who Inspired the Name “Yaesu”
Jan Joosten (?–1623)
Jan Joosten (a Dutchman, known in Japan as Yayōsu or 耶楊子) was a crew member aboard the Dutch merchant ship De Liefde, which drifted ashore in Bungo Province (present-day Ōita Prefecture) in 1600, during the Keichō era, along with Englishman William Adams (known in Japan as Miura Anjin).
Later in life, Joosten attempted to return to his homeland. He traveled to Batavia (modern-day Jakarta), the center of Dutch operations in the East Indies, but failed in his negotiations to repatriate. While returning to Japan, his ship was wrecked, and he perished at sea.
Joosten served as an interpreter and advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu and was granted a residence near present-day Hibiya, Tokyo. As a result, the area came to be known as Yayōsu-gashi (Yayōsu Wharf).
The name “Yayōsu” was later written as “Yaesu” (八重洲). It became an official district name in 1872 (Meiji 5), covering what is now Marunouchi 1-chome. After the opening of Tokyo Station, much of the former Yayōsu district became part of the station area. In 1954 (Shōwa 29), the eastern side of Tokyo Station was officially designated as Yaesu in Chūō City—a name still used today.
Joosten married a Japanese woman and, under the Tokugawa shogunate’s red-seal license system (shuinjō), engaged in wide-ranging trade throughout Southeast Asia.
When the Dutch trading post was established in Hirado, Nagasaki in 1609 (Keichō 14), Joosten played a key role in developing Japan–Netherlands trade relations.
⭐ Recommended Rating
Historical Significance: ★★
Visual Appeal: ★
Experiential Value: ★
This bronze bust of Dutch navigator Jan Joosten van Lodensteijn is discreetly installed on the east wall of “Sotobori Underground Avenue No.1” inside the Yaesu Underground Mall (nicknamed “Yaechika”). Along with William Adams (Miura Anjin), Jan Joosten arrived in Japan aboard the De Liefde and became a trusted diplomatic advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The statue commemorates his role and is also a nod to the origin of the name “Yaesu.” Featured as a mascot in the underground mall, the monument offers a tangible connection to local history.
| Year Erected | 2009 (installation) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Created by Dutch sculptor L.P.J. Braat |
| Structure & Features | Wall-mounted bronze bust |
| Restoration History | No known restorations |
| Current Condition | Excellent |
| Damage or Loss | None |
| Cultural Property Status | Not designated (commemorative statue) |
| Notes | Displayed alongside the “EDO‑TOKYO・YAESU HISTORY” character panel |
🗺 Address: Sotobori Underground Ave. No.1, Yaesu Underground Mall, Chuo City, Tokyo
🚶 Access:
Directly accessible from Tokyo Station Yaesu Central Exit. Located between the ramen shop “Yukitei” and “Ore no Italian & Bakery” along Sotobori Underground Avenue No.1.
⏳ Suggested Visit Duration
Quick stop: approx. 5 minutes
In-depth visit: approx. 15 minutes
📍 Highlights
- Bust & Historical Panel: Accompanied by the “EDO‑TOKYO・YAESU HISTORY” panel that explains Jan Joosten’s journey to Japan and the origin of the name “Yaesu.”
- Underground Mall Mascot: Jan Joosten is also depicted as an illustrated character throughout the mall, making for a fun scavenger hunt during your visit.
- Seasonal Fun: During winter and special events, character-themed decorations appear throughout the mall, enhancing the festive experience.
📌 Trivia
- Surprising Historical Detail: Jan Joosten’s Japanese name “Yayosu” evolved into “Yaesu,” giving its name to the district on the east side of Tokyo Station.
- Hidden Gem: Quietly positioned on the wall of Yaesu Underground Mall’s Avenue No.1, the statue is easy to miss—part of the fun is discovering it. It’s sometimes highlighted by the lighting of nearby stores.
- Connection to Historical Figures: Jan Joosten was a trusted diplomatic advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu and contributed to civil engineering and trade. He is considered one of the earliest Western samurai in Japan.
Jan Joosten Memorial Plaque (Traffic Island at Yaesu Ave. & Chuo-dori Intersection)
⭐ Recommended Rating
Historical Significance: ★★
Visual Appeal: ★★
Experiential Value: ★
The Jan Joosten Memorial Plaque is a bronze relief discreetly installed in the center divider at the Nihonbashi 3-chome intersection, where Yaesu Avenue and Chuo-dori meet in front of Tokyo Station. Erected in 1989 by Chuo City to commemorate 380 years of Japan–Netherlands relations, the monument features a relief of Jan Joosten’s bust alongside the Dutch ship “De Liefde,” on which he arrived in Japan. At the center are motifs such as a compass, stylized sea, sun, and the Dutch East India Company emblem—symbolizing Dutch maritime navigation and time.
| Year Erected | 1989 (Heisei 1) |
|---|---|
| Commissioned By | Chuo City, Tokyo (Commemorating 380 Years of Japan–Netherlands Relations) |
| Structure & Features | Bronze relief plaque: Jan Joosten on the left, De Liefde ship on the right |
| Restoration History | None |
| Current Condition | Well-preserved |
| Damage or Loss | None |
| Cultural Property Status | Not designated (memorial plaque) |
| Notes | Adjacent to the 7-meter-tall “Peace Bell” monument, which serves as a landmark |
🗺 Address: Nihonbashi 3-chome, Chuo City, Tokyo (center divider of Yaesu Avenue)
🚶 Access
Nearest station: A few minutes’ walk from JR and Tokyo Metro Tokyo Station (Yaesu Exit). Walk along Yaesu Avenue to the Nihonbashi 3-chome intersection. Look for the 7-meter-tall “Peace Bell” monument directly in front of the memorial.
⏳ Suggested Visit Duration
Quick stop: approx. 5 minutes
In-depth visit: approx. 10 minutes
📍 Highlights
- Jan Joosten Bust and Ship Relief: A dynamic bronze plaque featuring Jan Joosten’s likeness alongside the De Liefde, the ship that brought him to Japan.
- Nautical Symbolism: Elements like compasses, armillary spheres, and vintage map styling emphasize maritime exploration.
- Peace Bell Monument: The nearby 7-meter-tall bell tolls on the hour, adding a reflective atmosphere to your visit.
📌 Trivia
- Surprising History: Jan Joosten arrived in Japan aboard the De Liefde in 1600, served Tokugawa Ieyasu as a diplomatic advisor, and resided within Edo Castle. His Japanese name “Yayosu” eventually evolved into the modern place name “Yaesu.”
- Hidden Gem: Located on a traffic island, the monument is easy to miss. The adjacent “Peace Bell” helps mark the spot for curious visitors.
- Historical Figure Connection: Jan Joosten, along with William Adams (Miura Anjin), earned the trust of Tokugawa Ieyasu and became one of Japan’s earliest foreign-born samurai, contributing significantly to early diplomatic and trade relations.
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