1033 Kashino, Kushimoto-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
¥500
Discover the unique history of early US-Japan relations at the Japan-America Hall of Friendship in Kushimoto. Located on Kii-Oshima Island, this museum commemorates the 1791 arrival of the American merchant ship Lady Washington, predating Perry's arrival by over 60 years. Explore exhibits detailing this initial contact and view artifacts related to the event. The museum also features folk crafts from Kushimoto's sister city, Hemet, California. Admission is ¥250 for adults and ¥120 for children. Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Turkish Memorial Hall for a deeper understanding of the area's international connections. Be aware that the road to the museum can be narrow in some places.