The Repatriation Memorial Museum in Maizuru tells the story of the Japanese prisoners of war in Russia, their life in the camps and their struggle and eventually return to Japan. It is a story well known to the Japanese but probably unknown to many Europeans. We were lucky to meet one of the former prisoners and hear his story. No matter whom you meet, you will be touched by the stories told in this fantastic museum.

The museum is very small and takes no more than 20-40 minutes. The exhibitions and explanations are well done however. They have regular Japanese explanations beside the exhibitions as well as English, Russian and Chinese explanations on nearby touch screens. My friend has a grandfather who was a prisoner in Russia during the period, so had a bit stronger connection to this memorial museum than the regular guest I suppose. Overall, it is a nice place, but perhaps they need more material. Would very much like to know about the railways, buildings etc. that Japanese prisoners built. Or more stories from the prisoners who were there, what they experienced etc. Bus goes from Higashi-Maitsuru station. There are very few buses going there (about 1 every hour). When going back we had to reach the 14:01 bus or else there wouldn't be more buses until after 17:00!