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Remains of
kaiten launch building
at Ōtsushima Island

 
Museums - Lists

The following lists relate to the 17 Japanese museums reviewed on this web site.

Most Influential

This list ranks Japanese museums based on their influence on people's perceptions of the Special Attack Corps. 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.

  1. Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots
  2. Yasukuni Jinja Yūshūkan
  3. Yamato Museum
  4. Kanoya Naval Air Base Museum
  5. Kaiten Memorial Museum
  6. Bansei Tokkō Peace Museum
  7. Hotaru Museum
  8. Etajima Museum of Naval History
  9. Tsukuba Naval Air Group Museum
  10. Usa City Peace Museum
  11. Yokaren Museum - Tsuchiura
  12. Tachiarai Peace Museum
  13. Wadatsumi no Koe Museum
  14. Tokushima Air Base Museum
  15. Atata Exchange Center
  16. Kamikaze Special Attack Museum
  17. Yokaren Museum - Oita

The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy had separate traditions and maintained an intense rivalry. As a result, except for the Yasukuni Jinja Yūshūkan and Wadatsumi no Koe Museum, 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 Kyūshū, where most Special Attack Corps pilots departed for attacks on Allied ships near Okinawa. Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and Ōita are prefectures in Kyūshū. Kagoshima Prefecture, the southernmost prefecture in Kyūshū, had several sortie bases for Special Attack Corps pilots, and seven museums are located there. 


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 Bansei Tokkō 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 Yasukuni Jinja and the Chiran Peace Museum have nearby areas that are especially beautiful during cherry blossom season. 

  1. Kaiten Memorial Museum
  2. Etajima Museum of Naval History
  3. Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots
  4. Hotaru Museum
  5. Yamato Museum