10 Mei 2014

Garden of Bart, Naruto, Tokushima

Movie set of 'Bart-no Gakuen' in the middle of nowhere!

Oleh Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Liquor shop. In the movie, POWs brewed German beer and enjoyed drinking here

Inside the director's office. This is where Ken Matsudaira, the famous Japanese actor who played the role of the camp director, Matsue Toyohisa, sat in the movie

Director's military cap and report about Japan-Germany War during World War I

Inside the 1st Baracke (Barack). Bunk beds line both sides

Officer's room. Different from soldiers' compartments, it's more lavishly decorated and there's even a doll displayed inside the glass box

In this Baracke (Barack), the original lumber which was used in the Bando POW Camp is used

Letters to POWs from their friends/family

Replica of a hand-made violin made by one of the POWs

Posters of various events held by POWs and some photos of them. Posters were designed, drawn, and printed by POWs in the camp

Replica of a hand-made bowling set. They are geniuses!

Replica of hand-made pins. I don't know why there are only 9 pins here

Outside washing place. If you saw the movie, you may remember POWs were washing their faces and brushing their teeth here

After visiting the Naruto German House and the Bando POW Camp Site, 'Garden of Bart' is the place you should visit if you are a fan of the 2006 Japanese movie, 'Bart-no-Gakuen'. This movie set was first opened in March, 2006 for 2 years. But upon the strong request from local people, and because the number of visitors far exceeded the expectations (260,000!) of Naruto City, they moved the set to a different location, and now under the hands of an NPO, is again open to the public. Although the size has become smaller, you can enjoy seeing familiar things you see in the movie. There are very kind, enthusiastic local volunteers who guide you around the set (in Japanese, sorry!). It's open from 9:00 to 16:30 every day of the year!