Sugihara House
Sugiharos namai
The former Japanese consulate where diplomat Chiune Sugihara issued “visas for life.” Now a memorial to humanitarian action during World War II.
In 1940, Chiune Sugihara, then Japanese consul in Kaunas, defied orders from his superiors and issued transit visas to about 6,000 Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis, earning him the nickname “Japan’s Schindler.” This small house was the consulate at the time and is now a memorial. His office and desk have been recreated, and a documentary recounts the story. Japanese prime ministers and other dignitaries have visited. It is located in the Žaliakalnis residential district, about a 20-minute walk from the city centre, and admission is by ticket.
Opening hours
Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00; weekends 11:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Church of St. Michael the Archangel
- Žaliakalnis Funicular
- Žalgiris Arena
- Christ's Resurrection Basilica
- Laisvės alėja
- Lithuanian Zoo
- Vytautas the Great War Museum
- M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum