Yushukan Museum and Kamiike Garden [Tokyo]

【Yushukan Museum summary】

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine [Tokyo]

The Yushukan Museum, located on the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine, is the “first and oldest military museum” in Japan, opened in 1882 to exhibit items related to the war dead. Strictly speaking, it is not a museum, as the Museum Law does not apply to it. After the war, the museum was confiscated by GHQ and leased to Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Company, and in 2002 (Heisei 14), renovation of the main building and expansion of the new building were completed due to the aging of the museum.

※Please note that there are limited areas in the museum where photographs may be taken.

【Yushukan Museum Type 52 Zero Fighter】

Upon entering the entrance, the Type 52 Zero Fighter (restored aircraft) is first on display.

The developer is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which still exists today and is called “Zero Fighter.

【Yushukan Museum Suisei (D4Y) dive bomber・Ohka (Model 11) suicide attack flying bomb】

Ohka (Model 11) is a small aerial suicide attack weapon with a large armor-piercing bomb mounted in the nose section, which is suspended from the mother plane, separated and launched near the target, and guided by the crew to hit the target.

【Yushukan Museum Kaiten Type 1】

The Kaiten Type 1 is a suicide attack weapon that is modified from a very large torpedo and is guided by the crew to strike the target.

Although I have only shown weapons, this is because it was a place where photography was allowed. Inside the museum, there are many wills, belongings, and photographs of those who died in the war, so you will probably spend more time there than in the museum. When you go to the exit, there is a souvenir shop, and you will come back to the first Zero fighter plane place.

【Yushukan Museum 1F Tea house Yui】

The coffee shop is located next to the Zero fighter plane at the entrance. The signature menu item is “Navy Curry,” which was eaten by servicemen of the Imperial Japanese Navy during their voyages.

I ordered the Navy Curry as a commemorative dish, which seems to be a faithful reproduction of the recipe and ingredients of the time.

【Yushukan Museum Statue of Kamikaze Pilots】

There are several statues in front of the Yushukan Museum. They were created as an expression of condolence and a prayer for the repose of the souls of the souls of his students who volunteered to become reserve naval flight students and were lost in the sky when he was a professor at Tokyo Art School, which is now Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.

The sculptor Kitamura Seibo’s “Naval Aviation Reserve Student Statue (Yufu)”.

【Yushukan Museum Statue of Mother】

It was erected in 1974 by children who had grown up to adulthood (the Youth Division of the Japan Bereaved Family Association) to honor and thank their mothers who had endured the hardships of the postwar period and raised them well.

Sculptor Takashi Miyamoto’s “Statue of Mother” depicts a mother who lost her husband in the war and survives strongly with her three orphaned children.

【Sacred Pond Garden】

Located just behind Yasukuni Shrine, there is a garden that is not surprisingly well known.

It was built in the early Meiji period (1868-1912), and was restored and maintained in 1999. The elegant carp swimming in the water is a relaxing sight to behold.

Surrounding the garden are three teahouses, Gyoun-tei, Seishintei, and Yasusen-tei, built from prewar to mid-Showa period, which are beautiful during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

【Yushukan Museum Nearby attractions】

Yasukuni Shrine, Tsukudo Shrine, Imperial Palace

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine [Tokyo]

Tsukudo Shrine and Taira no Masakado’s Grave [Tokyo]

The Imperial Palace (Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Ruins of Edo Castle, East Gardens) [Tokyo]

【Yushukan Museum Access】

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine [Tokyo] The Imperial Palace (Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Ruins of Edo Castle, East Gardens) [Tokyo] Shibuya (Hachiko, Scramble Crossing) [Tokyo] Gokoku-ji Temple [Tokyo]