The Ertuğrul was returning to Constantinople after a diplomatic mission to Japan when it encountered a typhoon and capsized.
Of the 609 crew members on board, 587 perished in the disaster, making it one of the deadliest maritime accidents in Japanese history.
Local villagers of Kashino rescued 69 survivors, climbing down the steep cliffs in the dark to reach them.
The rescue mission involved local women donating their own kimonos to provide warmth to the freezing, rescued sailors.
The current museum building was opened in 1974 to replace and expand upon the original memorial monument erected in 1891.
A portion of the museum's collection was recovered through underwater archaeological excavations conducted in the late 20th century.
The museum grounds include a monument built in 1937, which was visited by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s representatives.
In 2015, the film '125 Years Memory' was released, dramatizing the events of the shipwreck and the subsequent rescue.
The site remains a frequent destination for official Turkish diplomatic visits to Japan.
The Kushimoto Turkish Memorial and Museum commemorates the 1890 sinking of the Ottoman frigate Ertuğrul off the coast of Oshima Island. The museum houses artifacts recovered from the shipwreck, including coins, navigational equipment, and personal belongings of the sailors. It stands near the site where villagers from Kashino attempted to rescue the crew after the ship struck reefs during a typhoon. The memorial serves as a significant symbol of long-standing diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey. Visitors can view scale models of the Ertuğrul and historical photographs documenting the rescue efforts. The site is located on the eastern tip of the Kii Peninsula, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It serves as both a historical repository and a site of international remembrance.
The elevated viewing deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean near the main monument.
Combine your visit with a walk to the nearby Kashinozaki Lighthouse for panoramic sea views.
Read the historical placards carefully, as they provide detailed accounts of the 1890 rescue operation.
Expect steep terrain near the cliffside paths surrounding the memorial.
Do not attempt to climb down the cliffside rocks near the memorial, as they are unstable and dangerous.
Open daily throughout the year; check local government announcements for occasional maintenance closures.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor as this is a memorial site.
