What to know
The Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall (杉原千畝記念館, Sugihara Chiune Kinenkan) tells the story of Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986), a Japanese diplomat who saved hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust by issuing transit visas. The museum is located in his hometown of Yaotsu, Gifu Prefecture, in a rural setting.
In 1939, Sugihara was posted to the Japanese consulate in Lithuania, where he encountered Jews fleeing Nazi persecution with few escape options. Many needed Japanese transit visas to flee via Japan, but they rarely met the requirements for funds or a final destination. In the days before the consulate closed, Sugihara disobeyed orders and issued 2,139 visas to desperate refugees, saving countless lives.
The museum's exhibits cover the horrors of the Holocaust, the escape routes taken by refugees, and a replica of the office where Sugihara issued the visas. There is also a section displaying messages of gratitude sent to Sugihara after the war.
The Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall is located in a remote area of Gifu Prefecture, about 45 kilometers northeast of Nagoya and 30 kilometers west of the Kiso Valley. Public transport is very limited, so renting a car is recommended.
The museum is about a one-hour drive from Nakatsugawa Station in the Kiso Valley. Rental car outlets are available near Nakatsugawa Station.
From central Nagoya, the drive takes about 90 minutes.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:30 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
- Closed
- Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
- Admission
- 300 yen (~$1.92)
- English name
- Original name
- Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.