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Visiting Japan? Discover the Kamikaze Pilots Memorial-Japanese war history

4/16/2025

Anime&comics Review

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The Chiran Tokkou Peace Museum: A Journey into the Legacy of the Kamikaze Pilots

At just 9 years old, I was deeply moved by what I saw— the stories of the "Kamikaze Special Attack Corps" who, with smiles on their faces, flew to their deaths for their country. So shocking was the experience that I found myself unable to speak and spent the following days devouring books about the Kamikaze pilots at the library. I have since visited the Chiran Tokkou Peace Museum about five times.

In this post, I want to share with you the significance of the Chiran Tokkou Peace Museum, which displays various materials such as "letters", "personal belongings", and "records" related to the army's Special Attack Corps members, who during the Battle of Okinawa in the final stages of World War II, flew their planes into enemy ships.



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⚠️ Note: This article contains content related to war. Please keep in mind that different people may have varying reactions to this subject, and what follows is a personal account.


Why You Should Visit the Chiran Tokkou Peace Museum in Kagoshima

If you're traveling with family or a partner, I highly recommend visiting the Chiran Tokkou Peace Museum in Kagoshima.
While museums dedicated to World War II history, such as those in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, are famous for the atomic bombings, this museum specifically focuses on the "Special Attack Corps" that launched from Chiran.

What is the "Special Attack Corps"?

I, born in the Showa era, remember learning about World War II during summer special classes in elementary and junior high school. However, we didn't go into much detail about the "Special Attack Corps."

We learned about the atomic bombings, the reasons behind them, and how Japan fought during the war. But one thing I realized was that the concept of Special Attack Corps was something rarely discussed in classrooms (though it's said that this topic is gradually fading in educational settings).

The Pacific War Began on December 8, 1941:

Japan's military launched surprise attacks on the British-controlled Malay Peninsula and Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. After suffering heavy losses in naval battles, Japan's military concluded that it could no longer compete with the U.S. in terms of military power. As a result, Japan decided to organize suicide missions using aircraft, including kamikaze pilots. In October 1944, the Kamikaze Special Attack Corps was formed.

What Were the "Special Attack Corps"?
The Special Attack Corps was a group of young men who were sent to attack enemy ships by crashing planes into them. The pilots were given just enough fuel for a one-way trip.


Highlights of the Chiran Tokkou Peace Museum

Image：©P.K.N
※Authentic Zero fighter aircraft,bearing the scars of war.

The Young Pilots' Final Thoughts

Unlike the atomic bomb museums in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where you witness the devastation caused by the bombs, the Chiran Tokkou Peace Museum focuses on what the Kamikaze pilots left behind: their letters, final poems, and personal items.

The museum’s exhibits feature deeply emotional letters written by young men, many in their late teens or early twenties. I guarantee that the words will leave you stunned as you contemplate their courage and conviction.


A Wall of Photos and Personal Belongings

Image:©K.P.V.B
※1036 Kamikaze pilots

When you enter the museum, you are greeted by a wall filled with photographs of 1,036 Kamikaze pilots, all of whom were between 17 and 32 years old. It’s hard to believe that these young men flew their planes to their deaths with such youthful smiles.
What were they thinking when these photos were taken? What was going through their minds?

The "Triangle Barracks" (Sankaku Heisha)

Image:©P.K.N

The museum also features a reconstructed "Triangle Barracks," where Kamikaze pilots spent their final days before departure. This building was constructed far from the airfield to avoid air raids. Many of the pilots wrote their final letters here, making this place all the more poignant.

Why One Visit Isn't Enough: My Personal Story

I first visited the museum when I was in third grade. It was during a company trip with my father’s work. I had heard about the Kamikaze pilots, but I knew very little about them at the time.

As I entered the museum, I was immediately struck by the wall of portraits of the Kamikaze pilots. I also noticed letters they had written to their families. The words in those letters were incredibly formal and heartfelt—written by boys who, just a short time before their deaths, expressed love and loyalty.
I couldn’t help but wonder: How could they smile in the photos, knowing they were about to die? What could have driven them to sacrifice themselves like this?


"The Moonlight Summer" Movie Based on a True Story

During my second visit to the museum, I was deeply moved by a story related to a piano displayed at the entrance of the museum. It’s said that a Kamikaze pilot played Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata" before his mission.

This story is the basis for the novel and movie "Moonlight Summer". Watching this film or reading the novel might give you a more personal connection to the history of these pilots.


If you can read Japanese, please take the time to read it-----it's worth it.

Conclusion

The war is now a memory, and many people no longer remember its horrors. But visiting the Chiran Tokkou Peace Museum will change your perspective on life, war, and sacrifice. The emotions I felt during my visits will stay with me forever.

If you have the chance, I highly encourage you to visit the museum. It will change the way you think. 

QooQ