Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall

The Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall (杉原千畝記念館) is a museum located in Yaotsu, Kamo District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, dedicated to the life and legacy of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jewish refugees during World War II. Sugihara served as Vice-Consul for Japan in Lithuania and risked his career and the safety of his family by issuing transit visas to Jewish refugees, allowing them to escape the Holocaust.

The museum offers exhibits that detail Sugihara’s life and work, showcasing original documents, photographs, and artifacts that illuminate the events of the time. Visitors can see a replica of Sugihara’s visa stamp, a statue of Sugihara himself, and even a recreation of the office he used in Lithuania. The museum also houses actual visas issued by Sugihara, letters and photographs exchanged between him and the refugees, and materials related to the Holocaust.

In addition to the exhibits, the Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall offers educational programs and events, such as lectures, film screenings, and workshops, aimed at promoting understanding and raising awareness of Sugihara’s humanitarian legacy and the importance of such efforts in times of crisis.

The museum is built on the site of Sugihara’s former home and is part of the “Hill of Humanity Park,” which includes additional monuments, a museum, exhibition halls, and a beautiful natural landscape.

TOC

Getting there
1. By Train and Bus
2. By Car
Details

Getting there

By Train and Bus

From Akechi Station (Meitetsu Line):

Take an irregular bus to Yaotsu
Transfer to a bus to the museum (10 minutes)

From Mino Ota Station:

Take a bus to Yaotsu
Transfer to a bus to the museum

By Car

From Chuo Expressway:

Exit at Toki IC or Tajimi IC
Drive to the museum

From Meishin Expressway:

Exit at Komaki IC
Take National Highway 41 to the museum

Details

Hours	9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on Mondays.
Admission	High school students and above: 300 yen
Phone	+81 574-43-2460
Adress	Yaotsu-cho, Yaotsu 1071, Kamo-Gun, Gifu-Prefecture, 505-0301
Official Website	https://www.town.yaotsu.lg.jp/sugihara-museum/