Highlights of German Village Park
Naruto German House Museum
The Naruto German House Museum introduces visitors to life at the Bando Prisoner-of-War Camp and the interactions between German prisoners and the people of the surrounding area. Exhibits explore the prisoners’ daily lives, cultural activities, and contributions to the development of Japanese-German friendship.
The museum also highlights the camp’s connection with the first performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Japan. This landmark musical event took place in 1918, when German prisoners performed the symphony for an audience in Japan. The story remains one of the most memorable examples of cultural exchange associated with the camp.
Doitsu Bridge and Meganebashi Bridge
The park and surrounding area feature historic stone bridges known as Doitsu Bridge, or German Bridge, and Meganebashi, meaning Spectacles Bridge. These structures are associated with the German prisoners, who used their engineering and construction skills to create lasting works during their internment.
The bridges stand as tangible reminders of the relationships that developed between the prisoners and local residents. They are especially worth visiting alongside nearby Oasahiko Shrine, where the bridges can be found within the shrine grounds.
German Soldiers’ Memorial
At the rear right-hand side of the park’s entrance area stands a memorial dedicated to German soldiers who died during the war. Erected in 1976 by Naruto City in cooperation with the German Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe, the memorial is a quiet place for remembrance. It is designated as a historic site by Tokushima Prefecture.
Red Cross Memorial Monument
In 2011, a monument commemorating the area’s connection with the Red Cross was installed on the western side of the park by the Tokushima Chapter of the Japanese Red Cross Society. It symbolizes the principles of the Red Cross, including respect for human dignity and the humane treatment of prisoners of war.
Naruto German House Museum
The Naruto German House Museum is one of the area’s principal cultural attractions. Originally established in 1972, the museum moved to its present location in 1993, when its current building was completed. Through historical documents, displays, and audiovisual presentations, it explains the lives of the German prisoners and the relationships they built with the local community.
Explore the Ninth Symphony Theater
The museum’s Ninth Symphony Theater presents audiovisual material about the historic performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Bando camp in 1918. Visitors can learn how the prisoners maintained their cultural traditions while also sharing their music and knowledge with people in Japan.
Permanent and special exhibition rooms provide further insight into the prisoners’ daily lives, cultural activities, and achievements. The museum also has a shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs to remember their visit.
Statues of Beethoven and Toyohisa Matsue
A statue of Ludwig van Beethoven stands beside the museum, commemorating the musical history associated with the camp. Another important figure is Toyohisa Matsue, the camp commandant, whose bronze statue was erected in 2018.
Matsue is remembered for his humane approach to the treatment of the German prisoners. His leadership helped create an environment in which the prisoners could pursue cultural activities and interact with the local community, making the camp an enduring symbol of international understanding.
Museum Opening Hours
The Naruto German House Museum is generally open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on the fourth Monday of each month and from December 28 to December 31. Opening days and hours may change, so visitors should check the latest information before setting out.
Nearby Attractions
Roadside Station Dai-9-no-Sato
Located next to the Naruto German House Museum, Roadside Station Dai-9-no-Sato is a convenient place to take a break during your visit. Travelers can browse local specialties and regional products, enjoy the rest facilities, and learn more about the area’s connection with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Oasahiko Shrine and the Historic Bridges
Approximately eight minutes on foot from the museum area, Oasahiko Shrine is an important Shinto shrine and the ichinomiya, or principal shrine, of historic Awa Province. The shrine grounds contain the German Bridge and Meganebashi, both associated with the German prisoners of war.
Visiting the shrine and bridges together provides a deeper understanding of how the prisoners’ skills and activities left a lasting mark on the local landscape. The peaceful woodland setting also offers a pleasant contrast to the historical exhibits at the museum.
Ryozenji Temple
Ryozenji Temple, the first temple on the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, is also within walking distance of the area. Known as the traditional starting point of this famous Buddhist pilgrimage, the temple attracts pilgrims and travelers interested in Japanese religious culture.
Combining Ryozenji Temple with German Village Park and the Naruto German House Museum makes for a rewarding excursion through the region’s diverse history, from Buddhist pilgrimage traditions to international friendship during World War I.
How to Get to German Village Park
By Car
German Village Park is approximately 20 minutes by car from Tokushima Awaodori Airport and around 10 minutes from Itano Interchange on the Takamatsu Expressway. It is also conveniently located about a five-minute walk from Naruto-Nishi Parking Area and Bus Stop.
By Train and Bus
From JR Bando Station on the Kōtoku Line, the park is approximately a 20-minute walk. Alternatively, take a Tokushima Bus on the Naruto–Ōasa route and get off at the Doitsumura bus stop, from which the park is about a two-minute walk.
Discover a Remarkable Chapter of Japanese-German History
German Village Park offers a fascinating opportunity to explore the history of World War I through the story of the Bando Prisoner-of-War Camp. Rather than focusing solely on the conflict, the site highlights the cultural exchange, mutual respect, and friendships that developed between German prisoners and the people of Naruto.
Explore the park’s memorials and historic bridges, visit the Naruto German House Museum, and continue to Oasahiko Shrine or Ryozenji Temple to discover more of the area’s heritage. For travelers interested in history, music, architecture, and international cultural exchange, this corner of Tokushima offers a memorable and thought-provoking experience.