Kikuchi Keifuen

Seeing Spots

The old crematorium
In 1920, a crematorium was built where residents of the sanatorium cremated their fellow residents of the sanatorium by themselves.
Gate-ball course
There are 5 courses in the north-east section of the grounds where residents enjoy playing with people from the surrounding community.
Tonbo's (dragon flies') Home
There are 5 different kinds of dragon flies which inhabit a pond on the sanatorium grounds. It is said that especially for the Kofukihimeito dragon fly, Keifuen is the northern limit of its range.
Keifu Hall
It is used by the residents of the sanatorium for cultural events and residents' association educational activities among others.
Old confinement room
In 1916, the sanatorium director was invested with disciplinary restraint authority which administered punishment to residents in the sanatorium and in 1917 a confinement room was built to commit people who were offenders.
The concrete walls
In 1929, concrete walls were built on the north and west boundaries of the sanatorium to prevent residents from escaping.
Tomb
In 1976, a new tomb was built with donations from the residents of the sanatorium. More than 1200 ash urns are interred there now.
Old Tomb
In 1940, the old tomb was built with donations from national religious groups and used until 1976.
Old chapel memorial bell tower
A chapel with an area of about 500 m2 existed on this site until it was destroyed by a typhoon in 1991. A memorial bell tower was later built on the site.
Keifuen branch school vestige
Hinoki elementary school, Kyuryo Acadamy, Keifu Acadamy and Keifu branch school graduating 168 students in total all existed on the sanatorium grounds. The vestige of those schools later became a park called "Ikoi no Oka".
Quarantine gate vestige
This gate was built in 1929 for the purpose of quarantine. The sanatorium grounds were enclosed by walls to the north and west making this the only way in and out of the grounds.
Social Exchange Hall
This hall was created in December of 2006 from a re-modeled office building with the purpose of encouraging social exchange through education to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against people afflicted with Hansen's disease and to display historical information and material regarding Hansen's disease.

Nikkou Kaiten Kaoku
This unique building used to be housed in Kaishu Hospital in Tatsuda, Kumamoto. It was said to be used by residents for meditation or consultation. 5 wheels at the base of the building allow it to turn to receive full sunlight for its original purpose of sunbathing.