Chiran Peace Museum

Worth visiting even for foreigners to learn about the history of kamikaze “Tokkō” pilots who sacrificed their lives in world war two.

I would also recommend visiting Bansei Peace Memorial Museum, which also memorises Tokkō pilots but has different exhibits. Only half an hour drive from this museum.

Makes one wish there will be no war again, but sadly there are wars ongoing in some parts of the world.

When the US landed on Okinawa during World War II, the Japanese Army and Navy carried out crazy strategic suicide attacks. Young soldiers of the Army flew off from their base in Chiran to Okinawa, never to return. The last messages the suicide squad members left for their families are preserved here. Each message is a cry from the soul, conveying the horror of war education. It's impossible to see without crying, but it's a facility that should be seen at least once.

Beautiful museum within the last Kamikaze base in Japan. We attended a remembrance ceremony. Many letters from the young pilots and so much emotion through the entire place. Far from the city and far from regular tourist spots, it is an excellent experience if you have time to spend a couple of hours there.

Recently, a distinguished looking elderly gentleman approached me outside a bakery in Okayama to just say hello and more than likely chit chat and get some English practice in. At first, we made small talk about nothing important: our ages, the work we did, etc. I’m a tourist here in Japan but have lived over 8 years in this bewildering country - oh some 20 odd years ago. I’m getting to be (if not already am) elderly myself. Anyway, I asked him for a recommendation about a place to visit or something to see in Okayama. I told him I like to visit places that were “sad” where “something bad” might have happened. I told him that when traveling, I seek out experiences that evoke emotions and feelings as well as the normal sites and encounters of travel, and I try to “hear” the “victims” that were once at these “sad places” maybe “crime scenes.” As an example (which is not really what I described), I told him that when I was teacher here in Japan some twenty odd years ago, I went on a school trip to the museum commemorating the brave kamikaze pilots who died in WWII at the former Chiran Air Base in Kyushu. While my students were off involved in whatever assignments they were doing, I walked around the museum alone listening to an English audio program provided to me. On it, a letter was read that came from a pilot who wrote to his two (?) small children the night before going on his fatal mission. Usually, the fated pilots wrote these “sayonara letters” to their parents, so this one might have been unusual. Also, if I remember correctly, this pilot wrote his letter in katakana so his young children could easily read it whenever they were able. The one thing the pilot wrote that stood out to me was his apology for not being able to play with them. As I told the wonderful Mr. Imai (the gentleman outside the bakery) in Japanese: 心吐露した – it melted my heart. Mr. Imai started to cry but only for a moment. As he wiped his eyes, he told me that my remembrance of Chiran and the brave pilots who died so young “moved” him. Well, to say the least, I was moved myself by Mr. Imai and once again: 心吐露した. Later, it occurred to me that Mr. Imai was around the same age as that pilot’s young children. At this time, I guess the best way to describe my feelings was confused, maybe scattered, and I was worried that Mr. Imai might fall – thank God he didn’t. I asked if I could take his picture and he agreed. After shaking his hand and wishing later on I would’ve held it longer, we said goodbye, and I watched him get on his bicycle and ride off. And then I was even more confused and scattered. So much so that I went and bought some flowers, which I cannot ever remember doing before in my life. I went back to my hotel room and took a picture of some things to remember this special and solemn moment of life I had just experienced and... and now I’m trying to put it down on paper. One reason is to send it to Mr. Imai and another is to send it to you who is reading this review. There is still a lot here for me to think about, and I’m still processing it all over a week later, but I’m certain of one thing: A visit to this wonderful museum is an experience that will last a lifetime and one you will never forget. It was for me.

Very touching museum. Some things were in English but you get the understanding. You can only take photos in a couple of areas inside the museum.

This place is crucial for us to preserve, ensuring that future generations remember those who selflessly devoted their lives to our present existence. It is imperative that we strive to eliminate all wars, regardless of the reasons behind them.

The absolute best museum in all of Japan. This is a truly humbling place to visit thats priced perfectly for what via given. This museum should be at the top of any tourists list, well before Hiroshima and Nagasaki because of its humbling nature. I’ve visited every museum in all of Japan and this one bests them all. Make sure to bring tissues when you visit!

Tablet with headphones available for 35 stops in the museum narrating each in English. Moving experience, the museum will help you better understand what these young pilots went through and why they did it.

There are exhibits and memorials for kamikaze attacks during World War II. You can feel the spirit of Japan, which fought a direct war with the great power of the United States long ago. I can't help but be grateful that there is peace now.

It was a great museum to learn about the pilots who had to die because of the war. Audio guide is a must for non Japanese speaking visitors.

This is a very thoughtful museum which offers a lot of information about the pilots that served in WWII. Hundreds of photos of the pilots, their names, their birth prefectures, they look so young, fierce and patriotic. It’s only 500yen to enter, with a brochure in a few languages. Audio is available but I think you can understand enough from the exhibits. Best to drive here or catch a tour bus, very far from Kagoshima City but worth the trip.

“Brave men”
This museum represents the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, it's hard not to get a little emotional here when you see the exhibits, if you're non Japanese then get the English translation, I was lucky as my friend is Japanese and he explained enough to me, everything in this museum is a must see. I must say that the Japanese honour the fallen comrades in a very noble way no matter which peace museum you visit.

Powerful. It’s hard to grasp everything as not everything is translated in English. Mostly teenagers that had to go on their mission for the sake of war and country, knowing they will not have enough gas to come back. Their letters to their families and their portraits on the walls are enough to move you.

A museum to learn the history of airplane pilots who were willing to sacrifice themselves to defeat the enemy.

Absolutely the best Museum I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. We rode motorcycles all the way down from Tokyo on Golden Week 2018. For a ¥500 yen fee this place is more humbling than Hiroshima or Nagasaki even though they may be more popular. Photos are prohibited except in certain areas to respect the deceased. It’s location isn’t easily accessible except by vehicle but plan on spending at least 2 hours to so you can read some of the many translated notes written by actual kamikaze pilots. But anyone who visits will be glad they did guaranteed. Best museum in the world in my opinion and I’ve been all over the world.

Helped to personalize the kids behind the kamikaze raids. The letters and notes written to their relatives and friends were tough to read. To know you had one more act to do before you passed away.

Most things are in Japanese but there is an audio guide (for rent) and some English descriptions. I used google translate to get more information from the letters and descriptions.

Built on a former Imperial Japanese Army airfield, this museum is a peace memorial in honor of those army pilots who flew the final sortie to Okinawa. Looking at the rows of photos of the young pilots who died puts a very human perspective to the loss and respect for their bravery. The museum has a few aircraft, models, paintings, a temple and a large number of stone lanterns lining the roads.

A beautiful and peaceful museum, it reminds you of the humanity behind war, many young men lost their lives in wars. This serves as a great memorial to those young lives lost.

It is located in a rather remote area hence it is recommended to drive there. The museum houses a smorgasbord of letters and items, each telling a unique story.

Audio tour gives a better understanding and insight into the former military base in Chiran and details a few of the young men stationed there.