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What Is the British Antique Museum BAM Kamakura?

The British Antique Museum BAM Kamakura is a museum located along the approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, exhibiting genuine British antiques. The collection features 100-year-old Victorian furniture, silverware, tea sets, musical instruments, and paintings gathered by Museum Director Masaomi Dobashi. These pieces reflect the aesthetics and craftsmanship of Britain and preserve its cultural legacy. One of the most popular exhibits is the faithfully recreated "Sherlock Holmes’ Room," complete with a fireplace, armchair, and laboratory instruments, offering visitors the feeling of stepping into the world of the stories. The museum building was designed by architect Kengo Kuma and features a striking façade inspired by Kamakura-bori traditional carving. BAM Kamakura serves as a unique cultural space where the charm of British heritage harmonizes with the scenery of Kamakura.

Enjoy Sherlock Holmes

The “Sherlock Holmes” series, written between 1887 and 1927, remains beloved worldwide even today. On the 3rd floor, we have recreated “Sherlock Holmes’ Room” based on the original stories. A fireplace, armchair, violin, and even chemical bottles fill the room—authentic antiques once used over a century ago. Visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Victorian era and experience the world of Sherlock Holmes in a truly vivid way.

Director

Masaomi Dobashi

Masaomi DobashiDirector, British Antique Museum BAM Kamakura

Thank you for visiting the website of BAM Kamakura. When I first visited the UK, I was deeply moved by the culture of cherishing and passing down antique objects. Over the years, I traveled throughout Britain and was continuously inspired by the affection people held for antiques. It made me realize how important it is to preserve precious objects—something modern Japan is at risk of forgetting.

Wanting to share the cultural value of these antiques, I establishedthe British Antique Museum BAM Kamakura along the historic approach toTsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. At the museum, we have recreated“Sherlock Holmes’ Room” using genuine Victorian-era antiques collected fromacross the UK. It would bring me great joy if visitors here in Kamakuracould encounter authentic British antiques and appreciate the beautyof preserving history.

Architect

Kengo Kuma

Architect Kengo Kuma

The connection between the UK and Japan runs deep. For example, Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh was influenced by Japanese architectural design when creating his tearooms. His work—deeply inspired by Japan—is faithfully represented in the V&A Dundee museum that I designed in 2018. There, British antiques are displayed alongside modern electric vehicles, symbolizing the timeless fusion of “OLD & NEW.”

The British Antique Museum BAM Kamakura, standing along the historic Dankazura approach, showcases pure, genuine antiques—each infused with over 100 years of history, collected by Mr. Dobashi. With this in mind, I believed the building’s own design must also embody purity. After extensive consideration, I chose to remove all exterior windows and craft a simple form featuring a façade inspired by Kamakura-bori traditional carving.

BAM’s architecture is rooted in the hills behind Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, preserved through conservation efforts influenced by the UK’s National Trust. I hope this building will be loved as a cultural institution cherished and passed down through generations in Kamakura.