Japan and Russia 

In this article, we'll describe a story happened between Japan and Russia around 240 years ago. At that time, Japan adopted a closed-door policy toward any country. 

On a certain day, a cargo ship left the Shiroko port located in the middle of the archipelago and was wrecked by a heavy storm. It drifted a long time and finally landed on a small island in Russian territory. Many of the crew died there because of a severe life after the landing. However, a few people survived and they returned to Japan ten years after the incident.

Being interested in the incident, we visited the museum which had constructed to inform the detail, the "Daikokuya(大黒屋) Kodayu(光太夫) museum."

In those days, oceanic transportation in Japan was relatively small scale. Many goods were carried by sea from production areas' ports to the consumption areas' ports. The Shiroko(白子) port (Mie(三重) Pref.) was one of the ports in the production areas. And, transportation from this port to Edo was conducted fluently.

In 1783, the "Shinsho-maru(神昌丸)" cargo-ship which captain was "Daikokuya Kodayu" met a heavy storm and then lost its mast. The ship drifted 7 months and more, then, landed on a small "Amchitka" island, one of the Aleutian Islands. Which locates in the far north of the Japanese archipelago. And, at that time, these islands were belonging to Russia. Only few natives and a few Russians who visited to hunt sea-otters and seals were there on the island.

At first, Kodayu and his people didn't understand any Russian language. However, after the interaction with Russian hunters, they understood Russian language. They couldn't escape from this island several years, and after a long effort, they went across the sea to the Kamchatka Peninsula. And finally arrived Irkutsk town. 

Kodayu and his people were requesting the approval for their return to Japan. However, the answer of the Russian government was the suggestion to live in Russia as Japanese language teachers. They were exhausted by their situation not going well. Then one day, Mr. Luxman offered to cooperate with them. He brought them to the capital of Russia, Petersburg, furthermore, arranged the audience with the Emperor of Russia. 

We don't know the exact reason why the Emperor, Catherine Ⅱ of Russia was fond of Kodayu. Maybe he spoke elegant Russian language or he had good behavior. Consequently, he got the permission of returning to Japan. When he was in the capital, he experienced visiting factories and schools. Furthermore, he had associations with Russian upper class societies.  

Kodayu and 2 other his people got a ride with the Russian battleship which was commanded by Mr. Luxman's son's and returned to Japan. It was 10 years after the drifting happened. Kodayu lived in Edo by being offered his living place from the Japanese government. He introduced the information of Russia to many people such as Daimyo, researchers, government officials and merchants.

At "Daikokuya Kodayu museum," many letters, pictures and other materials which Kodayu left behind are there. His story was made into a famous novel. Then, the author's photos and his information are also exhibited there. The novel was also made into a film in 1992, and we suppose that was the start of the construction of this museum. 

How to get to the Daikokuya Kodayu museum?

This museum is located in Suzuka(鈴鹿) city (Mie Pref.). When we use public transportation from Shin-osaka station, we have two choices to visit there. One option is to use Shinkansen(新幹線) super-express to Nagoya(名古屋) station. And from there, we use the Kintetsu(近鉄) private railway. Another option is to go to Nanba(難波) station. And we can also use the Kintetsu private railway from there. 

First, when we stop by Nagoya station, travel time to Nagoya station is around 1 hour. We should move to the private railway station, and the travel time from Nagoya to Ise-wakamatsu(伊勢若松) is also around 1 hour. From Ise-wakamatsu station, we have to walk to the museum. It will take about 15 minutes. All in all, we need 2 hours and half at most. We need a navigation such as "Google-navi" because this museum is in the center of a residential area.  

When we stop by Nanba station, at first, we use the subway. Travel time is about 20. We use can use the Kintetsu private railway from Nanba to Ise-wakamatsu. Unfortunately, number of trains aim for Mie pref. are limited. We have to expect about 2 hours as the travel time, and in worst case, we should spend more time. From Ise-wakamatsu station, same as above. All in all, we need 3 hours and half at most. We need to start very early if we plan to go a day trip.