The archives are next to Kaiko Hiroba (Port Opening Square) where Commodore Perry landed to sign the Convention of Kanagawa.

[2] The archives are housed in a newly built annex of the former British Consulate building.

The ground floor of the building is open to the public and there is a small exhibition room which is free.

[3] The archives include a museum which tells the story of Japan and Yokohama's opening to the West, beginning with the arrival of Commodore Perry and his black ships.

A select number of books on Japanese history, published by the archives, are also available for purchase.