KAITEN
in Ozu Island
History
As Japan's loss in the war looked increasingly likely, the Navy developed the human torpedo known as the "Kaiten" towards the end of the Pacific War. The need to find a crew for the Kaiten became critical as the war situation deteriorated and the ship was anticipated to serve as a pivotal battle weapon. The Kaiten had no escape mechanism because it was built in a hurry to get it into real battle. Out of the 1,400 volunteers, 106 were killed in action while boarding the Kaiten. The average age was twenty-one.
Pictures
Ruins of Kaiten Training Base
The only remaining human torpedo "Kaiten" training base in Japan. It was recognized as a Civil Engineering Heritage Site recommended by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers for its value as a war legacy.
Kaiten Memorial Museum
The Kaiten Memorial Hall was completed in 1968 and renovated in 1998. Stone monuments inscribed with the names of the Kaiten Rikishi line the entrance to the main entrance.
Kaiten Maintenance Shop
The "Kaiten" maintenance shop was built between present-day Majima Port and Otsushima Elementary School (now closed), of which facilities such as an electric substation, hazardous materials storage, and ignition testing facility still remain on the grounds of the elementary school.
Access
Hiroshima station (Ride Shinkansen) →Tokuyama station (Go out from Shinkansen exit)→ walk 5min → Tokuyama port → Buy tickets and Ride Ferry→Umashima Port → Walk 10min → Kaiten memorial
Ferry = 20 min to 40 min
※ We have to ride Ferry to go there
Travel cost
Kaiten Memorial Museum
Adults
¥320
Less than 18years old
Free
Group (More than 30 members)
¥250 (each person)
Ferry to Uma-shima island
Adults
¥1440 (round trip)
Kids
¥720 (round trip)
