Kyu Sakamoto Memorial hall

I have visited to "Kyu Sakamoto Memorial hall". Exhibits of Kyu Sakamoto was increasing because Association of Kyu was established, Asteroid "6980Kyusakamoto" was found, revival song of "ASHITA GA ARUSA" is boom.

I'm visiting there once a year or so. I have met some visitor. I think Kyu Sakamoto is in our heart.

I receive some questions about Kyu Sakamoto often. I cannot write to them sooner.
Then I write all about Kyu Sakamoto I know.

Q.: I would like to know is it a male or a female.
A.: Kyu Sakamoto is male.
Q.: An American group named, 4pm, sang this song. but i heard that it is in memory of the death of the original singer.
A.: Yes, Sukiyaki was sung by Mr. Kyu Sakamoto.
Words by Mr. Rokusuke Ei, music by Mr. Hachidai Nakamura.
The Sukiyaki is very popular and famous his song.
Q.: I want to know how sakamoto kyu died.
A.: I'm sad to say it, but he died.
Mr. Sakamoto was killed on August 12, 1985 in a Japan Air Lines B-747.
It was a JAL flight 123 for Osaka from Tokyo.
But Almost the passengers and crew were killed in the air crash.

If you can understand Japanese, I would like to introduce a book.

"UE O MUITE ARUKOU"
FUJI TEREBI SYUPPAN
Written by Yukiko Kashiwagi
ISBN4-89353-079-8

Ms. Yukiko Kashiwagi is his wife.
She wrote about him and the crash.
Q.: Do you have any detailed information on the death and burial of Kyu Sakamoto?
A.: There is a cenotaph on Mt. Osutaka, but he is not buried there.
The cenotaph is for casualties. The number of casualties is 520 people.
And new cenotaph was built at Aug. 12th, 2000. The names for 520 people was sculptured on the new cenotaph.
These are cenotaphs at the foot of Mt. Osutaka. The place named 'IREI NO SONO' in Japanese.
The address is UENO MURA(UENO village), GUNMA KEN(GUNMA prefecture).

Mr. Sakamoto's grave is at the Chookokuji Temple, in the Minato-ku(district) in Tokyo.
Q.: Is Mr Sakamoto physically buried at Chookoku-ji?
A.: Oh, I didn't know whether he was cremated. Then, I have read a book his wife wrote. On this book, she wrote he was cremated.
And 'physically bury' are basically banned in Japan. Then It's almost cremated.
I thought his ashes was deposited at the Chookoku-ji.

Open time: 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
Close: monday, the year-end, the beginning of the year.
Admission free.

Kyu Sakamoto Memorial hall
Asa Ooiwake
Kuriyama cho
Yubari gun, Hokkaido.
068-03
Japan

TEL 81-1237-6-3939

ACCESS from Sapporo City

TYUO bus Ride for YUBARI from TYUO bus terminal
(freeway bus or SATSU-YU line limited express bus)
drop off KEIRITSU bus stop

YUTETSU bus Ride for YUBARI from Oodouri 3 bus stop
via Ooyachi bus terminal
drop off KEIRITSU bus stop

Train Ride at Sapporo station, and transfer to MURORAN main line at IWAMIZAWA station
drop off KURIYAMA station
move to KEIRITSU by bus
(If you ride taxi from KURIYAMA station, the charge is about 2,300yen or so.)

TYUO bus	Ride for YUBARI from TYUO bus terminal (freeway bus or SATSU-YU line limited express bus) drop off KEIRITSU bus stop
YUTETSU bus	Ride for YUBARI from Oodouri 3 bus stop via Ooyachi bus terminal drop off KEIRITSU bus stop
Train	Ride at Sapporo station, and transfer to MURORAN main line at IWAMIZAWA station drop off KURIYAMA station move to KEIRITSU by bus (If you ride taxi from KURIYAMA station, the charge is about 2,300yen or so.)