Kushimoto Turkish Memorial and Museum

The Turkish Memorial Museum is a town-run museum on Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto Town. In 1890, the Ottoman Turkish warship "Ertuğrul" suffered a shipwreck and sank off the coast near Kashinozaki on Oshima. The warm support given to the Turkish survivors by the people of Oshima Village became the historical beginning of friendship between Japan and Turkey. Built in 1974 in connection with this event, the museum exhibits a model of the Ertuğrul, artifacts, photographs, and items such as swords handed over as a token of gratitude by rescued crew members, and a memorial ceremony is also held every five years. A smooth way to get there is by using the Kushimoto Town Community Bus. From JR Kisei Main Line "Kushimoto Station," take the community bus, get off at "Kashino Todai-guchi," then walk about 5 minutes east to reach the museum. The museum was renovated and reopened in 2015, significantly changing its interior—so even if you haven’t visited in a long time, it’s worth going again.