Old Japanese Jail
Japanese Jail, Garapan
The concrete remains of a prison from the Japanese occupation period, with tree roots wrapped around the broken walls. Legend says the American aviator Amelia Earhart may have been held here.
The former Japanese jail lies in southern Garapan. It was built by the Japanese colonial government in the 1930s and was damaged by shellfire during WWII. Today only roofless concrete cells and enclosure walls remain, and huge tree roots coil around the ruined walls, giving the place a strong sense of abandonment. Local stories suggest that American aviator Amelia Earhart, who disappeared in 1937, may have been held here, although this has never been confirmed. The site is small and takes 15 to 30 minutes to see. It is free to enter and unmanaged. It is about a 10-minute walk from Sugar King Park and can be combined with the museum and American Memorial Park as a historic walking route through Garapan.
Opening hours
All day (daytime recommended)
Nearby sights
- NMI Museum of History and Culture
- Sugar King Park
- Garapan & Street Market
- Micro Beach
- Japanese Lighthouse (Navy Hill)
- American Memorial Park
- Mount Tapochau
- Managaha Island