Davao Unveils Furosato Japanese Heritage Tour Celebrating Japan’s Legacy in the Philippines

Published on September 1, 2025

Davao City is about to offer a unique cultural experience with the launch of its new Japanese heritage tourism circuit. The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) will manage this circuit, which will feature several historically important sites related to the former Japanese community in the area. The heritage tour, called Furosato (which means hometown in Japanese), aims to showcase the influence of Japanese settlers on Davao City. It will focus on the community’s historical presence in the early 20th century. The circuit will open in stages, starting this September for Tourism Month, and is expected to draw both local and international visitors interested in the city’s rich cultural history.

Discovering Davao’s Old “Little Tokyo”

One of the first attractions on the Furosato tour will be the historic “Little Tokyo”, located in Barangay Mintal and Calinan. This area was once home to a thriving Japanese community, particularly in the pre-war era when abaca farming was the cornerstone of the local economy. The Japanese settlers contributed significantly to the city’s development, and the heritage tour will provide a glimpse into their daily lives and lasting impact on the region.

The Little Tokyo circuit will include a visit to several key locations, such as the Barangay Mintal Hall, which is one of the community’s important landmarks. It is also home to a variety of artefacts and memorabilia from the era, which have been preserved to give tourists a tangible connection to the past. Another key site is the Ohta Kyozaburo Shrine, which honours a prominent figure in the Japanese community who was influential during that time.

Other essential stops in this part of the tour include Mintal Elementary School and the nearby Mintal Cemetery. The cemetery holds historical significance as the final resting place for many Japanese nationals who lived and worked in the area. A stop at the Monument of Eternal Peace in Catalunan Grande, also known as the Japanese Peace Memorial Shrine, will add a deeper layer of reflection for visitors, marking the historical ties between Japan and Davao City.

The Imin Philippine-Japan Historical Museum: A Glimpse into the Past

An essential stop on the Furosato tour is the Imin Philippine-Japan Historical Museum, located inside the Philippine Nikkei Jin School in Mintal. This museum offers valuable insights into the lives of Japanese settlers in Davao, particularly during the height of their migration to the region in the 1930s. At its peak, the Japanese community in Davao numbered over 20,000 migrants, a fact that shaped the area’s social and economic landscape.

The museum showcases various exhibits, including photographs, artefacts, and documents that tell the story of the Japanese community’s contributions to Davao. Visitors will gain an understanding of how the settlers worked the land, created businesses, and interacted with local Filipino communities. The museum also highlights the challenges the community faced during World War II, including displacement and the hardships they endured.

Historical Landmarks and Remnants of Japanese Influence

Other notable stops in the tour will include the Japanese-built irrigation canal in Barangay Mintal, which remains in use today by a local power company. This functional piece of infrastructure speaks to the engineering skills of the Japanese settlers, whose contributions helped shape the agricultural landscape of Davao. A visit to the Barangay Hall will also offer a chance to view other historical relics, including World War II-era memorabilia and old photographs that help paint a picture of a bygone era.

Additionally, the tour will begin at Sta. Ana Port, an important site where many Japanese settlers first disembarked upon arriving in Davao. The port served as a gateway for those who sought a new life in the Philippines, making it an integral part of the historical narrative. The University of Mindanao-Bolton, another stop in the tour, is located on the site of the former Japanese consulate, further deepening the tour’s connection to Davao’s rich Japanese history.

The tour also includes a stop at City Hall in San Pedro, where visitors can trace the locations of old Japanese businesses, such as the Osaka Bazaar. This area once served as the commercial hub for the Japanese community in Davao, with various stores, markets, and businesses that contributed to the local economy.

Future Expansions: A Tour of Toril’s Japanese Heritage Sites

While the Mintal and Calinan areas will be the focus of the initial tour launch, further expansion is already in the works. Research is being conducted to include sites in Toril, another part of Davao that was once home to Japanese-owned warehouses. These warehouses were integral to the business operations of Japanese abaca magnate Yoshizo Furukawa, who played a major role in the region’s agricultural sector.

In Toril, visitors will soon be able to explore other historical landmarks, including Furukawa’s warehouses and office and the graves of Japanese workers who contributed to the abaca industry. These sites are currently under study and will be included in a future circuit that will expand the tour’s scope, adding new layers of history and stories from the region’s past.

Emphasizing Cultural Preservation and Education

The launch of the Furosato Japanese Heritage Tour reflects Davao City’s ongoing commitment to preserving and promoting its diverse cultural heritage. By showcasing the historical ties between Japan and the Philippines, the tour offers an opportunity for local and international visitors to learn about the mutual influences between the two countries. It also serves as an educational tool for younger generations to understand the importance of cultural preservation and the role of immigrants in shaping the city’s development.

The tour will open in September, coinciding with Tourism Month, and will be a highlight for anyone seeking to experience the history and legacy of the Japanese community in Davao City. Through thoughtful research and careful planning, the City Tourism Operations Office aims to continue expanding the tour in the future, making it a key part of Davao’s cultural tourism offerings.

A Rich Historical Experience Awaits

The Furosato Japanese Heritage Tour offers a unique experience for tourists who want to learn about Davao’s history and the important role that Japanese settlers played. As the tour grows to include new sites, it promises to provide more insights into the cultural exchange between Japan and the Philippines. With a focus on preservation, education, and tourism, Davao City is ensuring that the legacy of the Japanese community remains a vital part of its rich history for future generations.

For more information on the Furosato Japanese Heritage Tour and other cultural events in Davao, visitors can check the official website of the City Tourism Operations Office for the latest details on tour dates and updates.

[Image Source: Davao City Tourism Website]