A Photographer’s Guide to the Yushukan Museum
Part of the famous Yasukuni Shrine, the Yushukan Museum offers a deep dive into Japan’s military history, with an extensive collection of swords, armor, aircraft, and tanks. Military history enthusiasts will find enough to stay occupied for hours, but photographers should be aware of a few important restrictions.
First, it’s important to address the context. Yasukuni Shrine is a controversial place, and by extension, so is the museum. As Tokyo in Pics is a photography blog, this article won’t delve into the debate. It will focus on the museum from a visitor’s and a photographer’s perspective.
The museum experience
The Yushukan provides a comprehensive museum experience, easily filling a couple of hours for a general visitor. For photographers, however, allow for even more time to carefully compose your shots in the designated areas.
One important tip for international visitors: English descriptions on the displays are limited. To get the most out of the exhibits’ history, you may want to have a translation app handy; otherwise, you might be guessing the story behind some of the artifacts.
A brief history of the Yushukan Museum
The Yushukan has two purposes:
- Show respect for the enshrined deities of Yasukuni Shrine
- Display military equipment.
It first opened in 1882. From small beginnings, it expanded, and new buildings were added. But the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake caused its demolition.
The famed architect, Chuta Ito, designed a new building. It opened in 1932. Unfortunately, American bombing raids caused much damage in World War 2. Many records and paintings from the Tokugawa shogunate were lost.
In the post-war period, the building served a very different purpose. An insurance company used it as the Occupation forces had taken over its offices. The company left in 1980. In July 1986, the building became a museum again.
The main building was renovated on July 13, 2002, and the layout and exhibits were updated. A new building with a cinema was added to commemorate the shrine’s 130th anniversary. Everything looks great.
What to see and what you can photograph
Photography inside the Yushukan is strictly limited to two areas: the Main Lobby and the Grand Gallery.
This means that the fascinating medieval section, with its ancient helmets and intricate armor, is unfortunately off-limits for cameras.
However, the areas where photography is allowed are spectacular and contain the museum’s largest and most famous artifacts.
Photography permitted in the lobby
- A6M Zero fighter aircraft
- Class C56 steam locomotive number C56 31 used in Thailand after the war.
- Type 89 15 cm and Type 96 15 cm artillery pieces.
Photography permitted in the Great Exhibition Hall
- Anti-aircraft guns
- Yokosuka D4Y Suisei (Comet) carrier-based dive bomber.
- Type 97 Chia-Ha tank found on Yap Island,
- a replica Ohka Model 11 rocket-propelled suicide aircraft
- a model of Mutsu (陸奥) battleship
- Mementos from battlegrounds. They include helmets, a uniform worn by a paratrooper, and letters.
- Model 3 14 cm secondary gun from the battleship Mutsu
- Special Attack Surface Boat Shin-Yo Model 1 (suicide weapon)
- Type 4 200 mm rocket mortar
There is much more. The list is extensive. Much of it doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. If you want to photograph it, you must go to the Yushukan.
Great Exhibition Hall photography rules
- Flashes, tripods, and selfie sticks aren’t allowed.
- The room is bright, so there shouldn’t be any problems with photography. Just boost your camera’s ISO a little.
Plan your visit
Where is the Yushukan Museum?
It’s at Yasukuni Shrine.
Admission costs
- You can look at the lobby exhibits for free.
- The museum costs 1000 yen.
Opening hours
- 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The museum is closed at the end of June and December.
Before you visit the shrine, check the official Yasukuni website for the most up-to-date information and news.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you take photos in the Yushukan Museum?
Photography is strictly limited to two areas: the Main Lobby, which houses the A6M Zero fighter and steam locomotive, and the Grand Gallery, which contains larger items like tanks, planes, and artillery. The medieval weapons and armor sections are off-limits for photography.
How much does admission to the Yushukan Museum cost?
The main museum exhibits cost 1000 yen for a standard adult ticket. However, you can view the exhibits in the main lobby, including the Zero fighter, for free.
Are tripods or flashes allowed for photography?
No. Flashes, tripods, and selfie sticks are all prohibited in the exhibition halls. The lighting is generally bright, so boosting your camera’s ISO is the recommended way to get clear shots.
Is there English information at the Yushukan Museum?
English signage and descriptions on the displays are very limited. To fully appreciate the history of the exhibits, it is a good idea to bring a translation app on your phone.
Conclusion
While the Yushukan Museum’s location is a subject of controversy, for photographers and military history fans, it remains an unparalleled destination. If you want to photograph rare Japanese military artifacts that exist nowhere else in the world, this museum is a must-visit.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5 these days. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
