A fighter plane resurrected from the depths of the sea - Discovering Japanese memories at the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall in Ainan Town

• Table of Contents
• What is the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall?
• Features of the Shiden Kai
• Ainan Town's beautiful sea, the Uwa Sea
• History of the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall
• detail
• How to get to the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall

What is the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall?

Ainan Town, located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, is a quiet town known for its crystal clear seas and abundant fishing grounds. In this quiet town, you can find a facility where you can learn about Japanese history: the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall.

The sea around Ainan Town is famous for its beautiful, clear waters, and is one of the best fishing spots in western Japan, with a diverse tropical ecosystem where coral and tropical fish coexist thanks to the influence of the Kuroshio Current. Given these factors, the combination of a peaceful seaside town and a fighter plane seems an unlikely one. However, this place quietly retains memories of Japan at the end of the Pacific War and the people who lived there.

Features of the Shiden Kai

The greatest feature of the Shiden Kai Museum is that it displays an actual Shiden Kai fighter plane. The Shiden Kai was a fighter plane used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, and is known as a highly maneuverable aircraft. The aircraft on display made an emergency water landing in the ocean off the coast of Ainan Town in 1945, and sank to the bottom of the sea. Thanks to the efforts of local people, it was salvaged in 1979, leading to its current display. It is the only one of four remaining in the world that remains in Japan.

When you step inside the museum, the first thing that catches your eye is the Shiden Kai, bearing the traces of time. Having been at sea for many years, the aircraft is not in perfect condition. However, its damage and rust are a strong testament to the reality of war. Unlike exhibits that have been restored to like-new condition, it is precisely because it is in the "just as it was at the time" state that it seems to speak volumes to visitors.

The exhibition hall not only displays the fighter planes themselves, but also photographs and documents from that time, as well as explanations of the crew. What is particularly striking is the fact that the Shiden Kai was not shot down, but made an emergency landing due to running out of fuel. The young crew on board lost their lives. The Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall is not just a military museum, but also a "place of memory" that focuses on each individual life, one journey.

Ainan Town's beautiful sea, the Uwa Sea

The exhibition hall is built facing the sea, offering the advantage of offering a view of the calm Uwa Sea from outside. The scenery contrasts sharply with the intensity of the war, leaving visitors with a tranquil and profound impression. Many foreign tourists wonder, "Why are there fighter planes in such a peaceful place?", but this very question is the very reason for the existence of this exhibition hall.

The Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall is not a place to glorify war, but rather a place that quietly conveys the losses that war has brought and the preciousness of peace. If you are visiting Ainan Town as one of its many tourist destinations, it is a must-see spot. Here you will encounter memories of Japan that you will not learn about in textbooks or at school.

History of the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall

November 1978: A local diver discovered a Shiden Kai believed to belong to the 343rd Naval Air Group on the seabed (approximately 40-41m deep) of Kura Bay in Ainan Town, Minamiuwa District, Ehime Prefecture (formerly Utsumi Village).

July 14, 1979: After 34 years, the aircraft was salvaged, almost in its original condition.

May 1, 1980: The Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall was opened on the summit of Mt. Maze as a symbol of hope for lasting peace.

1980s to present: As the only remaining authentic aircraft in Japan, it has been visited by many tourists and students on school trips, with a total of over 1.8 million visitors. Former crew members have donated personal belongings and collected testimonials.

2024-2026 (planned): Due to the aging of the facility, a renewal project is underway to build a new exhibition hall on adjacent land and relocate and display the aircraft. The new exhibition space will be designed with views of the sea (Kura Bay) and sky, and is scheduled for completion in 2026.

This museum is not just a display of war relics, but is positioned as an important historical site that conveys the horrors of war and the value of peace.

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How to get to the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall

If you are heading to the Ainan Town Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall from Matsuyama City, head south on National Route 56 and enter Ainan Town. Proceed towards Misho and Gusukube town, then turn off the national highway following the signs for "Misho MIC" and "Minami Recreation Park." Then head towards Maseyama Park and climb up the mountain until you see a sign for the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall. Follow the signs and you will arrive at the exhibition hall and parking lot on the hill of Maseyama.

It takes about 20 to 30 minutes by car from the entrance of Ainan Town to the Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall. *Depending on traffic conditions.