The Tachiarai airfield was a primary base for the training of Kamikaze special attack units.
The museum's Zero fighter was discovered in the ocean off the coast of Kagoshima before being restored and moved to the site.
The Type 97 fighter on display is a rare model, as most were destroyed during the war.
The museum grounds include the ruins of the original airfield's concrete runways and water towers.
Many of the documents displayed were donated by the families of pilots who died in special missions.
The airfield was bombed by American B-29s in March 1945, which ended its operations as an airbase.
The facility is operated as a memorial to ensure the history of the local military involvement is not forgotten.
The Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum stands on the former grounds of the Imperial Japanese Army's Tachiarai Airfield, once the largest in the Far East. It preserves the history of the Kamikaze pilot training program that occurred at this site during World War II. The facility houses one of the only two remaining Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter planes in Japan. Another key exhibit is the Type 97 Nakajima fighter plane, which was recovered from the seabed near the Oita coast in 1996. The museum emphasizes personal narratives, showcasing letters, diaries, and photographs left behind by young pilots. Visitors view a film documenting the impact of the 1945 air raids on the surrounding town. The museum aims to convey the realities of war to prevent its recurrence. Its location in Chikuzen highlights the regional impact of military expansion during the early 20th century.
In front of the restored Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane.
Read the provided English pamphlets or use the mobile audio guide to understand the context of the personal artifacts.
Spend time walking the exterior grounds to see the remaining remnants of the wartime airfield infrastructure.
Allow extra time if you wish to read the translated diaries, which provide the most significant emotional insight.
Do not treat the exhibits as purely military technology displays; the museum is a memorial focused on human loss.
Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays.
Maintain a quiet and respectful tone; photography of specific artifacts may be restricted in certain galleries.
