LEIDEN – The Japan Museum SieboldHuis in Leiden, which showcases the centuries-old relationship between the Netherlands and Japan, is struggling with outdated installations and an increasing need for sustainability upgrades. Director Kris Schiermeier hopes that the province of South Holland will step in to help. “It’s not just about making the building more energy-efficient, but also about ensuring a stable climate for the collection,” she says. “Our installations have been running continuously since 2005. After twenty years, they simply need to be replaced.”
On October 15, the Provincial Council discussed a proposal from the VVD party to explore how the province could contribute to the future of the museum on the Rapenburg canal. Council member Erica van Engel emphasized that the SieboldHuis does not fall under existing heritage preservation schemes. “It’s a unique cultural institution that puts South Holland on the map, but because of its status, it’s not recognized as a national or municipal monument. As a result, it falls between the cracks.”
According to Schiermeier, the issue is not only about saving energy but also about protecting cultural heritage itself. She outlines a two-pronged approach: operating more efficiently with modern systems while keeping temperature and humidity stable for fragile objects. Measures such as sunshades and automated climate control systems are part of the plan to protect the collection.
The total investment amounts to about €800,000. “That’s a large sum for a relatively small museum,” Schiermeier notes. “We’re trying to secure support from different levels of government and sponsors, because we can’t carry this burden alone.”
Schiermeier says that Deputy Meindert Stolk (CDA) recently visited the museum and showed understanding for its situation. Discussions between the province and the museum are now underway to explore possible forms of support.
How and when the province might actually contribute will become clear after those talks.
In 2024, the SieboldHuis welcomed nearly 64,000 visitors, a significant increase compared to its previous record year, 2023, when 56,447 people visited. This year, the museum also celebrates its 20th anniversary.
