Japanese Museum in Davao - Philippines

The Japanese presence in Davao, both pre and post World War II, has had a profound cultural effect on the city and its history. The best place to learn and experience this is the Japanese Museum.

The Japanese Museum features several items and artifacts dating from various periods in the history of the province, from the earliest records of Japanese settlers, the life and times before the war (there were some 20,000 Japanese in Davao at the time), the occupation during the Second World War and beyond it.

There are a lot of things to look at and learn at the Philippine-Japanese Museum, which should interest both the student and tourist. There is a furu, the traditional Japanese bath.

There is also a wide selection of traditional and national dresses from the Philippines, from the barong to the Filipiniana, and also the costumes and clothing worn by the traditional Japanese. Something that would be of great interest to historians and students will be the large collection of Japanese coins and also bills.

Of course there are also a lot of pictures and images, particularly of noted Japanese and Filipinos, and also the earliest locals that married the Japanese, and also the Filipino-Japanese.

The Japanese Museum also features an abaca processor, and other tools utilized by Filipinos and Japanese in the manufacturing of Abaca plants. The reason for this is that Davao City was a center for the production of Abaca plants during World War II, in particular Mintal. Other fascinating objects, artifacts and antiques you will find are various tools used for agricultural work.

There are also several magazines and publications dating from the post war period. There are also fascinating accounts and commentaries written by the Japanese settlers in Davao City at the time. Overall, the Museum serves as a view to the way of life of foreigners adjusting to living in a new land.

The Japanese Museum, also sometimes called the Japan-Philippine is near the PNJK-IS Calinan Branch School, which used to serve as the place for those of Japanese descent who wanted to head to Japan.

The exact location of the Japanese Museum is at Matsuo Compound, Durian Village, De Lara St., Davao City, Philippines. Admission is 20 Php for a foreigner, 5 Php for Filipinos.

To get to the area, you simply take a bus to Calinan (you can find one at the Bankerohan Public Market). When you get off De Lara Street, you will find the Museum or just ask around.