Chiran Peace Museum — Attraction in Minamikyushu

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....

Visiting the Chiran Peace Museum was a deeply moving experience—one that left a lasting impression on our family. Nestled near the historic town of Chiran in Kagoshima, this museum commemorates the lives of young kamikaze pilots who departed from this very region during World War II.

🏛️ Powerful Exhibits & Personal Stories The museum is a quiet, respectful space filled with photographs, letters, personal belongings, and thoughtfully curated exhibits. One display that touched us deeply featured farewell letters written by pilots—often filled with heartfelt words to their loved ones and reflections on duty. It’s hard not to feel moved reading their personal messages, imagining their hopes and fears.

⚓ Historical Context & Reflection Beyond individual stories, the museum provides rich context on the military strategy behind the kamikaze missions and Chiran’s role as a departure base. The black-and-white photographs gave us a vivid sense of the local landscape back then—complemented by historical footage that brought the era to life.

🌿 Serene Garden & Memorial Area Stepping outside to the memorial garden brought another layer of reflection. The peaceful garden, lined with stone monuments engraved with pilots’ names, offered a tranquil place for reflection. We lingered here, contemplating the human cost of war—finding solace in the gentle ambiance and distant ocean breeze.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A Moving Family Experience Although some parts of the museum are solemn—especially the personal stories—our kids, aged 10 and 13, absorbed the atmosphere with thoughtful questions and quiet respect. It sparked meaningful conversations about history, sacrifice, and the importance of peace.

✨ Overall Impressions The Chiran Peace Museum isn’t just a historical site—it’s a moving tribute that feels deeply personal and respectful. We spent a heartfelt 90 minutes inside, and another half-hour walking the garden and savouring the quiet. It’s not easy to visit, but it’s profoundly worth it for anyone seeking understanding, reflection, and a reminder of the past’s human impact.

Highly recommended for those visiting Kagoshima who want a meaningful, reflective pause on...

The museum is easily accessible by bus from JR Kagoshima Chuo station (the station number was 16.. Although we went there yesterday, I forget numbers easily....). The fee is little bit less than 1000JPY. It takes roughly an hour from Kagoshima. The bus stops basically in front of the museum - just 5 minutes by foot, you can't miss it. Make sure you check the return schedule to Kagoshima!! The bus goes every hour or so and last one is at 18:xx.

The entrance fee to the museum can consist of two - you can either pay ticket just for the peace museum, or also buy ticket to nearby Chiran folk museum. The fee was about 600Yen for both.

The peace museum prohibits taking pictures or videos. With, phone, camera, doesn't matter if without flash. You have the option to rent an audio guide, as not everything is translated. It's strange, some things are translated and some not. It doesn't seem to make any sense... Now, I've been to horrible places like Auschwitz, Dachau, Nagasaki and Hiroshima. But this place is more personal, as you can read letters from the pilots to their families. Most of them were in their twenties, few even 18 or even 17 at the time they "fulfilled their duty". Some letters show human insanity, most of them show people who know what they are doing and that they do not want to so. It's extremely moving. I've read that this place is just propaganda, right wing propaganda and so on. I cannot agree less. There are few places in the museum where you can see videos where they present facts. Facts how everything started and also how impersonal the war was. They don't try to present "bad side" or "good side". Just raw information. That's all. Although they may were our enemies once, it's 2016 now. Pay respect to them, or just don't go...