The Kyushu National Museum opened on October 16, 2005, in Dazaifu near Fukuoka—the first new national museum in Japan in over 100 years, and the first to elevate the focus on history over art. The distinct modern impression created by the architectural facade is mirrored in the museum's use of technological innovations which are put to good in making the museum's collections accessible to the public. For example, the museum's extremely high resolution video system, with the latest image processing and color management software, serves both in documenting the objects in the museum's collection and also in expanding access beyond the limits of a large, but finite exhibition space.

Dazaifu is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 March 2024, the city had an estimated population of 71,505 in 33204 households, and a population density of 260 persons per km². The total area of the city is 29.60 km2 (11.43 sq mi).