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During World War I, Japan participated on the side of the Entente Powers, seizing some of Germany's Asian and Pacific colonial territories, as well as prisoners of war. Around one thousand German soldiers were held at Bando Camp outside central Naruto, where they were allowed to live rather freely, working within and developing friendships with the local Japanese community.
After the war ended, the friendships continued on, eventually resulting in a sister city relationship between Naruto and Lueneburg. The German House (Doitsukan) was built as a gesture of goodwill, and houses an excellent museum on the lives of the Bando Camp prisoners. The museum displays many models and photographs with descriptions in Japanese, German and English.
A ten minute walk south of the German House is Doitsu Mura Koen ("German Village Park"), a small, rather neglected park, dedicated to the prisoners of Bando Camp. The park has a gravestone and a memorial inscribed with the names of German prisoners who died during their imprisonment.
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How to get there
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By local bus
Naruto City buses between Naruto Station and Itano Station (Oasahiko Line) stop at Doitsu Mura Koen along the way. Half of the buses also stop at the German House, which is located a ten minute walk north of Doitsu Mura Koen. The one way trip from Naruto Station takes about 30 minutes and costs 340 yen. Buses operate only once every two hours.
By train
Take a train from Naruto Station to Ikenotani Station and transfer to another train to Bando Station. The entire one way trip takes between 30 and 45 minutes, costs 260 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass). There is about one connection per hour.
From Bando Station, it is about 1.5 kilometers to Doitsu Mura Koen (about 20 minutes on foot) and an additional ten minute walk to the German House. Alternatively, there are infrequent buses from Bando Station to Doitsu Mura Koen (7 minutes, 110 yen one way), with half of the buses also stopping at the German House (4 minutes, 110 yen one way).
By highway bus
The German House is a ten minute walk from Naruto Nishi bus stop along the Takamatsu Expressway. The stop is served by highway buses between Tokushima and Takamatsu, Okayama and Hiroshima. Note however that, because they are long-distance buses, the buses cannot be used only for the short section between Tokushima and Naruto Nishi. Getting off at Naruto Nishi is only allowed when traveling in direction of Tokushima, while getting on is only allowed in the opposite direction.
How to get to and around Naruto
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Hours and Fees
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| German House | | Hours: | 9:30 to 17:00 (admission until 16:30) | | Closed: | 4th Monday of every month (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday)
December 28 to 31 | | Admission: | 400 yen |
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Travel Community
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Popularity of German House:
Users who have been to Naruto: 26
Users who have been to German House: 52nd of 4 most visited sights in Naruto.
511th of 554 most visited sights nationwide.
Ratings for German House:
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