Naruto German House from the steps

The German House

In World War I, Japan sided with the Entente Powers, seizing some of Germany’s Asian colonies, taking several thousand prisoners of war, one thousand of whom were held for several years at Bando Camp, forming friendships with the local people.

After the war, the friendships persisted, and Naruto became a sister city of Lueneburg. As a goodwill gesture the German House was built in 1972. It houses a museum about the POWs, with photographs and models.

The story of the POWs was made into a Japanese movie in 2006, “Bart-no-Gakuen”, or the “Musical Paradise of the Bearded Men”.

  • Naruto German House
  • Naruto German House prisoners eating
  • Naruto German House prisoners cooking
  • Naruto German House POW camp diorama
  • Naruto German House from the steps
  • Naruto German House prisoner group photo

Information

Name in Japanese: ドイツ館
Pronunciation: doi-tsoo-kan
Address: Higashiyamada-55-2 Oasachohinoki, Naruto, Tokushima 779-0225

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