|
|
|
|
Remains of
Kaiten Launch Building
at Otsushima Island
|
|
|
Museums - Lists
The following lists relate to the eleven Japanese museums reviewed on this
web site.
Most Influential
This list ranks Japanese museums based on their
influence on people's perceptions of special attack forces.
The following factors were used to develop the ranking: number of
visitors, books about museum and its exhibits, mention in mass media,
historical importance of museum's location, references in books, appearance
in films, international influence, and museum web site.
- Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots
- Yasukuni Jinja Yushukan
- Yamato Museum
- Kanoya Naval Air Base Museum
- Etajima Museum of Naval History
- Hotaru Museum
- Kaiten Memorial Museum
- Bansei Tokko Peace Museum
- Yokaren Museum - Tsuchiura
- Yokaren Museum - Oita
- Tachiarai Peace Museum
The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy had separate traditions and
maintained an intense rivalry. As a result, except for the Yasukuni Jinja
Yushukan, individual museums cover the history of special attack forces of
only the Army or Navy.
Army Special Attack Forces
Navy Special Attack Forces
Both Army and Navy
Location by Prefecture
Seven museums are located on Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu,
where most kamikaze pilots departed for attacks on Allied ships near
Okinawa. Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and Oita are prefectures in Kyushu. Kagoshima
Prefecture, the southernmost prefecture in Kyushu, had several sortie bases
for kamikaze pilots, and five museums are located there.
- Fukuoka Prefecture
- Hiroshima Prefecture
- Ibaraki Prefecture
- Kagoshima Prefecture
- Oita Prefecture
- Tokyo Prefecture
- Yamaguchi Prefecture
Special Attack Planes and Other Weapons
Several museums display restored planes or other weapons used in suicide
attacks. The kaiten (manned torpedo) displayed in front of the Kaiten
Memorial Museum is a full-size model. The Zeros at the Chiran Peace Museum and Kaseda
Tokko Peace Museum have
not been completely restored. The museums at Kanoya, Chiran, and Tachiarai
also display planes used after the end of the war.
Most Scenic Locations
Each of the first two museums is located on a small island in the Inland Sea
and can be reached by a short ferry trip. Chiran is located in a picturesque
rural area, and the town has several former samurai houses with traditional
gardens. Both the Yasukuni Jinja and the Chiran Peace Museum have nearby
areas that are especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.
- Kaiten Memorial Museum
- Etajima Museum of Naval History
- Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots
- Hotaru Museum
- Yamato Museum
|
