Sights and landmarks in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sights and landmarks in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

1. See

   Building at Sakhalin Street 44

   Сахалинская улица, 44

   Now empty, this building from the Japanese (Toyahara) era has surprisingly survived intact.

2. See

   Chekhov Literary and Art Museum

   Городской литературно-художественный музей книги А.П.Чехова

   Housed in a 1954 building somewhat reminiscent of Chekhov's house, there are some items from the everyday life of Anton Chekhov and his family, a collection of some of his artworks, and copies of Chekhov's book Sakhalin Island in various languages from all over the world and a facsimile edition from 1895.

   Tue—Sat 10:00—18:00·RUB 20

3. See

   Former Toyohara City Hall

   Мэрия города Тойохара

   Built in the 1920s, now used as an office building. Next to the building there is a memorial to the Japanese crown prince Hirohito's visit to the city in 1925.

4. See

   Headquarters of Karafuto Guard Units

   Резиденция командующего охранными войсками губернаторства Карафуто/Гарнизонный военный суд

   The oldest standing building in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, built in 1908 as the residence of the commander of the Japanese forces. The house later hosted a museum of the Japanese period, but has again become a military building. It can be seen from the Dzerzhinsky or Sakhalin street.

5. See

   Karafuto Conference Centre

   Конференц-зал губернаторства Карафуто

   Built by the Japanese in the 1930s in the style of post-constructivism. The building hosts a department of the Russian military.

6. See

   Military Hospital

   Городская больница

   1930s postconstructivist building that is still used as a military hospital. The military hospital was modern for its time, being equipped with an elevator and a solarium.

7. See

   Railway Museum

   An open-air exhibition of old locomotives and railway trucks, including Japanese machinery operated on Sakhalin. The tunnel boring machine is also on display. The museum does not really follow the declared schedule, so arrange in advance or glance through the fence.

   Mon—Fri 08:30—17:30

8. See

   Sakhalin Botanical Garden

   Сахалинский ботанический сад

   This picturesque garden is at the same time an ongoing experiment; scientists are researching how plants from other parts of the world adapt to the climate of Sakhalin.

   Visits by appointment

9. See

   Sakhalin Regional Art Museum

   Сахалинский областной художественный музей

   Opened in 1989 in the building of the former Japanese bank "Hokkaido Takushoku" from the 1930s. The three permanent expositions are: "Copies of Ancient Russian Frescos", "Art of Japan", and "Art of Korea".

   Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM·RUB 60

10. See

    Sakhalin Regional Museum

    Сахалинский государственный областной краеведческий музей

    (pictured) Housed in the former Japanese building dating back to 1937, the museum hosts exhibitions about the island's natural and climatic features, the history of Sakhalin, and a quite good ethnographic collection of the island's indigenous peoples. Don't miss the outdoor exhibition that includes Japanese steles and border stones, the houses of indigenous people, local plants, and old cannons.

    Mon-Fri 11:00-18:00 except Tue 11:00-17:00·Foreigners RUB 60

11. See

    Sakhalin Zoo

    Сахалинский зооботанический парк

    Russian zoos are depressing, and this one founded in 1993 is no exception; though they seem to be genuinely interested in improving conditions, limited funds have thus far prevented any major improvements. They have 145 species up for display, mainly fauna related to Sakhalin such as wolves and brown bears.

    10-20:30 daily·RUB 80

12. See

    Treasure house of Karafuto Shinto Shrine

    Сокровищница главного синтоистского храма губернаторства Карафуто

    This little cottage used to be part of the main Shinto shrine of Karafuto. Built in 1911 by the Japanese, war trophies from the Russo-Japanese war were placed here and later on gifts from the emperor like a bronze bell and a golden sword were added to the collection. During Russian times these were moved to local museums or disappeared and the cottage was used as a storage building and a summer house. It is still a summer house, but there is a small treasury and a spring on the premises.

13. See

    Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Mud Volcano

    Южно-Сахалинский грязевой вулкан

    Located 20 km northwest of the city, this sight consists of several cones within a 15-acre (6 hectares) site of volcanic mud which erupt periodically. In many places you can see fumaroles bubbling through the mud.

14. See

    Catholic Church of St. James

    костёл Святого Иакова

    Built in Neo-Gothic style in 2001.

15. See

    Orthodox Resurrection Cathedral

    Воскресенский собор

    Built in "pseudo-Russian" style in 1995.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (CC BY-SA 4.0).