Samurai Houses & Kamikaze Museum
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Port
Kagoshima, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$210
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
This visit to the Chiran Samurai Houses and the Peace Museum transports you back in time, allowing you to view well-preserved feudal-era residences and gain insight into Japan's wartime history.
Chiran, just nineteen miles south of Kagoshima, is sometimes called Little Kyoto because its Samurai residences are so well preserved. Approximately 250 years old, the houses nestle in stunning gardens and their gates, moss-covered stone walls, hedges and black-tile roofs retain the flavor of the Edo period. Several of the residences are still used by Samurai descendants. You will view this historic location only from the outside.
Next, tour the Chiran Peace Museum, not far from the Samurai houses. This museum explores the background of Japan's kamikaze pilots. They trained nearby before embarking on suicide missions against Allied sea vessels. The museum includes photos and the final letters of the young pilots, many of whom were teenagers, and it makes a plea for World Peace.
Please note: The museum presents information about kamikaze missions from a Japanese perspective. It is important to note that in Japanese culture, kamikaze pilots were (and perhaps still are) considered heroes. While the portrayal of their story may be at odds with American sentiment, it is nonetheless an interesting visit and, in the end, hope for enduring peace is the overriding message. Some of the materials in the Kamikaze Museum are written in Japanese and not translated into English. Since guiding is not permitted inside the Kamikaze Museum, the guide will give you the necessary information on the coach beforehand. Unfamiliar accents can be challenging; feel free to ask your guide to repeat or elaborate on information, and to speak more slowly so you can fully comprehend and converse. Bring local currency, as most vendors do not accept US dollars or credit cards. The Samurai street in Chiran is not wheelchair accessible. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Tour requires approximately one hour of walking. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, and inclines. Tour sequence may vary.