Japanese Heritage in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Four must-see attractions

Between 1905 and 1945, the southern half of Sakhalin (Karafuto) was Japanese province. At that time Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk was called Toyohara, where you will find Japanese historic architectures. Its chaotic history and multi-ethnic culture makes you think a lot.

Sakhalin Regional Museum

Сахалинский областной краеведческий музей

Housed in an old Karafuto Museum (樺太庁博物館) building completed in 1937, the Japanese castle-style regional museum preserves the living tools of Ainu and Nivkh, as well as has displays on the chaotic history of Sakhalin Island.

Sakhalin Regional Art Museum

Сахалинский областной художественный музей

This art museum is housed inside the 1930s old Japanese bank (Hokkaido Takushoku Bank: 北海道拓殖銀行) building in front of the Chekhov Statue. It contains religious icons, small collection of Russian and Korean art.

Ploshchad Slavy

Площадь Славы

The Glory Square (pl Slavy) was the location of Japan’s Karafuto Shrine (樺太神社) founded in 1911, it was destroyed after WWII and replaced by the war memorial. Today the renewed pine tree-lined approach to the old shrine site keeps an atmosphere of the past.

Gagarin Park

Парк Гагарина

Popular with families, teenagers and tourists, the leafy Gagarin Park that includes sizable pond (Lake Verkhnee: former Oji-ga-ike - 王子ヶ池) constructed in 1936, children’s railway, amusement facilities, food stands and beer gardens. Of course, an astronaut Gagarin Statue stands at the west gate of the park.