The site originally functioned as the Tsukuba Naval Air Group, established in 1934.
Several scenes from the film 'Eternal Zero' were shot on location at this facility.
The site includes a rare, surviving underground command post that has been reinforced for public safety.
The facility was used as a filming location for the movie 'The Eternal Zero'.
It holds a collection of aviation artifacts salvaged from the Kasumigaura area.
The barracks and tunnels provide a stark contrast between pre-war military design and postwar university usage.
The Tsukuba Naval Air Group Memorial Museum is located on the site of a former Imperial Japanese Navy airbase, preserving the history of the base that trained pilots during the Pacific War. The facility features preserved architectural remnants, including a former communications bunker and underground shelters that visitors can tour. Exhibits document the daily lives of the trainees and the eventual transition of the base into the Kasama campus of Tsukuba University. The museum also provides historical context regarding the kamikaze missions launched from related airfields in the region. Many original structures, including the former hospital and administration buildings, remain standing on the grounds. The museum functions as a center for historical education regarding military aviation history in Ibaraki Prefecture.
The entrance to the preserved underground tunnel complex provides the most significant architectural context for photography.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear to navigate the slightly uneven floors of the historical bunkers.
Check the official website for specialized guided tours that provide deeper context into the architectural history.
Allocate time to walk the outdoor grounds, as several original wartime buildings remain standing outside the main museum building.
Do not attempt to enter restricted or taped-off sections of the historic buildings, as some areas remain structurally fragile.
Closed on Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday); check for seasonal closures during the New Year period.
Maintain a respectful tone inside the memorial areas; photography is permitted in most, but not all, interior exhibit rooms.
