The Turkey Memorial Museum stands at Kashinozaki on Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Located near the historic Kashinozaki Lighthouse overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the museum preserves the story of the long-standing friendship between Japan and Turkey.
The museum focuses on the Ertugrul Frigate disaster of 1890, one of the most significant episodes in the history of relations between the two countries. Inside, visitors can see historical documents, photographs, personal belongings, and other materials related to the disaster and the rescue efforts carried out by local residents.
Today, the museum is one of Kushimoto’s most important historical attractions. Its location also allows visitors to combine a visit to the museum with spectacular coastal scenery and other landmarks on Kii-Oshima Island.
At the end of the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor of modern Turkey, sought to strengthen friendly relations with Japan. In 1889, the Ottoman government sent the naval frigate Ertugrul on a diplomatic mission to Japan.
After an approximately 11-month voyage, the ship arrived at Yokohama in 1890. The Ottoman delegation met Emperor Meiji, helping to establish closer diplomatic and cultural ties between the two countries.
However, the return voyage ended in tragedy. On September 16, 1890, the Ertugrul was caught in a powerful typhoon and struck the rocks off Kashinozaki. The ship sank, and 587 of its 656 crew members lost their lives.
The disaster occurred close to the shores of Kii-Oshima, where local residents immediately began rescue efforts despite the dangerous conditions. The islanders provided food and clothing and cared for the injured sailors, even though they themselves lived in difficult economic circumstances.
The compassion shown by the people of Kashino became deeply remembered in Turkey. Their willingness to help people from a distant country, despite differences in language and culture, became one of the foundations of the friendship between Japan and Turkey.
The Turkey Memorial Museum was established in 1974 to preserve the memory of the disaster and the rescue efforts and to serve as a lasting symbol of friendship between Japan and Turkey.
The museum houses a detailed model of the Ertugrul, personal belongings recovered from the shipwreck, historical photographs, and numerous documents. The exhibits are arranged to tell the story chronologically, from the ship’s departure from Istanbul and its diplomatic mission to Japan, to the disaster, the rescue operation, and the development of Japanese-Turkish friendship afterward.
Visitors can therefore understand that the Ertugrul disaster was not simply a maritime tragedy. It became a powerful story of human compassion crossing national and cultural borders.
The museum also displays gifts and commemorative objects presented by the Turkish government and other materials documenting exchanges between the two countries. Together, these exhibits demonstrate how the friendship that began in the 19th century has continued across generations.
Near the museum stands the Turkish Frigate Ertugrul Memorial, dedicated to the sailors who lost their lives in the disaster. The stone memorial stands on elevated ground at Kashinozaki and quietly overlooks the waters of the Kumano Sea.
In 1891, the year after the disaster, local residents established an initial monument and graves for the victims. The site was later developed into the present memorial, reflecting the continuing importance of the tragedy to both Japan and Turkey.
Commemorative ceremonies are held every five years, bringing together representatives and visitors from both countries. The peaceful surroundings of the memorial create a solemn atmosphere and encourage visitors to reflect on the importance of peace, friendship, and respect for human life.
Near the memorial is a statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. Facing toward the Pacific Ocean, the statue is an impressive symbol of the friendship between Japan and Turkey and is a popular spot for photographs.
The surrounding area is also known for its spectacular natural scenery. The rugged coastline, dramatic cliffs, blue Pacific waters, and historic Kashinozaki Lighthouse create a beautiful landscape.
On a clear day, the contrast between the blue ocean and the white lighthouse is especially striking. A visit here therefore offers an unusual opportunity to experience both history and breathtaking coastal scenery in the same place.
The story of the Ertugrul disaster continued to influence relations between Japan and Turkey nearly a century later. One of the most famous examples occurred during the Iran-Iraq War in 1985.
At the time, Iraq announced that aircraft flying over Iran after a specified deadline could be attacked. Many foreign nationals were stranded in Tehran and urgently needed to leave the country.
While various countries arranged evacuation flights for their citizens, Japanese nationals faced difficulties leaving Tehran. In response, Turkish Airlines sent a rescue aircraft and evacuated 215 Japanese citizens.
The story became widely known in Japan, particularly because Turkish officials later explained the action in terms of repaying the kindness shown to the Turkish sailors almost a century earlier. The episode became a powerful reminder that acts of compassion can survive across generations and national borders.
The Turkey Memorial Museum introduces visitors to this remarkable chapter as well, showing how the relationship that began with the Ertugrul disaster continued to develop into a deep bond of friendship.
The story of the Ertugrul disaster and the 1985 evacuation was brought to a wider audience through the Japanese-Turkish film Kainan 1890.
The film portrays the rescue efforts following the shipwreck and the friendship between the two countries. Its release helped introduce the history of Japanese-Turkish relations to younger generations and brought renewed attention to Kushimoto and Kii-Oshima.
The Turkey Memorial Museum is more than a conventional museum. It tells a story about people helping one another across national, linguistic, and cultural boundaries.
After exploring the museum, visitors can walk to the memorial and take a moment to look out over the quiet ocean. Standing beside the memorial, it is easy to reflect on the compassion of the people of Kii-Oshima who risked their lives to help strangers from a distant country.
The story also demonstrates the importance of remembering kindness. The friendship between Japan and Turkey, strengthened through the memory of the Ertugrul disaster and later events, remains an inspiring example of how humanitarian actions can create lasting international relationships.
The Turkey Memorial Museum can easily be combined with other attractions on Kii-Oshima Island. Nearby Kashinozaki Lighthouse offers beautiful views of the Pacific, while Umi-Kongo is known for its dramatic coastal rock formations.
Exploring these sites together allows travelers to experience the island from several perspectives: its maritime history, international connections, natural landscapes, and cultural heritage.
For visitors to Kushimoto, the Turkey Memorial Museum is an especially meaningful destination. It offers a chance to learn about a tragic event while discovering a remarkable story of friendship, compassion, remembrance, and peace between Japan and Turkey.