The collection provides access to a wide range of sources, by writers, diplomats, tourists, businessmen, missionaries and others, documenting the political, cultural and social history of Japan from 1400 to the 20th century. Highlights include:
* Medieval manuscripts relating to Japan, including an account by Marco Polo
* The logbook of William Adams (1564-1620), alias Miura Anjin, the first Englishman known to have visited Japan
* The journals, printed articles and other papers of William Elliot Griffis (1843-1928), American author, teacher and educational reformer in Japan