Davao City is currently unlocking a hidden chapter of its urban identity through the "Furusato Davao" heritage circuit, a centerpiece of the 2026 "Suroy Ta" tourism initiative. Launched to coincide with the centennial celebrations of Davao City Hall, this tour invites visitors to explore the early 20th-century legacy of "Little Tokyo" in Barangay Mintal. The circuit has gained traction as a premier cultural experience, moving beyond the usual nature parks to reveal a time when Davao hosted the largest Japanese settlement in Southeast Asia. This immersive journey is not just a walk through ruins but a reconnection with a "hometown" (Furusato) spirit that once fueled the global abaca industry and shaped the city’s cosmopolitan DNA.
Walking the Streets of Little Tokyo
The heart of the Furusato experience lies in Barangay Mintal, a district that functioned as a self-contained Japanese community before World War II. Travelers are currently flocking to the IMIN Philippine-Japan Historical Museum in Calinan, where curated artifacts and pre-war photographs illustrate the lives of 20,000 migrants who once called this region home. The tour frequently pauses at the Ohta Kyozaburo Monument, an obelisk dedicated to the entrepreneur often credited with the rapid agricultural development of the Davao Gulf. These sites serve as tangible reminders of a sophisticated era where Japanese hospitals, schools, and irrigation systems set a high-tech standard for the early 1900s
Echoes of the Abaca Gold Rush
A significant portion of the circuit explores the industrial bones of the city, specifically the remnants of the Ohta Development Company’s infrastructure. As of early May 2026, visitors can still view the original irrigation canals and old abaca warehouse ruins that once powered the region’s economy. The narrative arc of the tour moves from the downtown Port of Davao, where settlers first arrived, to the quiet, sacred grounds of the Mintal Japanese Cemetery. This segment provides a somber, reflective contrast to the bustling modern city, allowing for a moment of silence among the "Eternal Peace Stones" that honor the pioneers who never returned to their original homes.
A 2026 Vision for Historical Tourism
The Furusato tour is part of a broader 2026 strategy by the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) to diversify visitor experiences, contributing to the city's 17.38% increase in March arrivals. By integrating the Japanese heritage into the "Suroy Ta" program alongside food crawls and farm tours, Davao is positioning itself as a leader in "Historical Diplomacy." This approach ensures that local small businesses in the Mintal and Calinan districts benefit directly from the influx of history buffs and international scholars. As the city prepares for the Duaw Davao Festival in June, the Furusato circuit remains the definitive choice for those seeking to understand the deep-rooted international friendships that define modern Davao.
