The Chiran peace Museum in Kagoshima Prefecture is one of those locations that leaves a lasting impression on you for many years to come. The museum is located in a very rural part of the prefecture and down on the southern point of Kyushu Island allowing its strategic location to attack the advancing allied forces through the Okinawa Islands. The region of Japan was very important to the Japanese War Machine as Nagasaki was the hub of the Imperial Navy and Chiran was the hub of the Imperial Air force.
The museum has attempted to commemorate the army pilots who were known as the kamikaze pilots with stories of personal comments to their parents before their suicide missions in the days to come. When I first visited this museum over 20 years ago, there was limited if not any English whatsoever. However, today, I’m proud to announce that there has been a real impetus put on the fact that as foreigners, we are only told one side of the many World War II stories. It is these personal accounts and heartfelt messages of the young soldiers to their parents that really give you an indication of what it was really like during that faithful time. The peace museum tells about the true situation of that time to provide posterity and devote itself to contribute to permanent world peace.
20 years ago, only the Japanese visitors would leave the premises with tears in their eyes, now with the English translations and interactive displays, It is pretty much a certainty that all visitors will leave this attraction with a profound effect and a deeper understanding of the opposition during this turbulent time. The Chiran peace Museum has been able to collect many artifacts over the years with the highlight being several Japanese zero fighters that are permanently encased inside and also outside in the memorial park. One of the zero's has been left intact and shows the damage it occurred during one of the many air forays into enemy territory. A real find!
This is a true World War II historical significant site that has been able to mend many fences and bring Japan back to where it stands today. A trusted and respected ally of the west and one of the hottest destinations to visit in the 21st century.
Please check out the Chiran Peace Museum of the map below:
Please click on these photos below to enlarge:
Main building
Important military locations
The entrance
Peace Fountain
Kamikaze Pilots
Japanese Zero Fighter
Peace Bell
Sleeping quarters
Peace Cranes
Damaged Zero
Please look at these videos below to see more about the Chiran Peace Museum.
