The Monument Commemorating the Beginning of Relations among Japan, Spain, and Mexico is a historic monument located in Onjuku Town, Isumi District, Chiba Prefecture. Commonly known as the Mexico Memorial Tower, the 17-meter-high obelisk commemorates the historic connections between Japan, Spain, and Mexico.
Made of reinforced concrete, the monument stands within Mexico Memorial Park and tells the story of an extraordinary encounter between people from different countries more than 400 years ago.
The monument stands on a hill approximately 50 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of Ajiro Bay and the town of Onjuku.
It is approximately a 30-minute walk from JR Onjuku Station. The monument itself is located about 1 km inland from the Pacific coast where the ship involved in the historic incident came ashore.
The area surrounding the monument has been developed as Mexico Memorial Park and has become one of Onjuku’s notable sightseeing destinations.
The site was selected as one of the 500 Highlights of Boso in 1983 and one of the 100 Scenic Views of Chiba in 2006. It is also part of the Kanto Fureai Trail, a network of walking routes that introduces visitors to the region’s natural and cultural attractions.
In 1609, the Spanish ship San Francisco, carrying Don Rodrigo de Vivero, the former interim governor of the Philippines, was caught in a severe storm while crossing the Pacific Ocean.
The ship was wrecked off the coast of Iwawada in present-day Onjuku, eventually sinking after running aground. Of the 373 people aboard, 56 lost their lives. The remaining 317 were rescued by local residents.
This rescue became a remarkable moment in the history of international relations. It led to direct contact among Japan, Spain, and Mexico, which at the time was part of the Spanish territory known as New Spain.
Following the rescue, Rodrigo de Vivero and other survivors traveled to Edo, where they met with Tokugawa Hidetada and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Trade and diplomatic relations with Spain were discussed, and efforts were made to establish friendly relations between Japan and Spain. However, changes in Japan’s religious policies and the international situation eventually brought these exchanges to an end after a relatively short period.
In 1924, local journalist Tohei Kenichiro proposed constructing a monument to preserve and pass on the historical significance of Iwawada and the rescue of the Spanish survivors.
Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony in 1926, and the monument was completed on October 1, 1928. Its design was created by Kanazawa Yoji, a professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts.
During World War II, the monument was considered a possible target for enemy ships and faced the possibility of being removed. Local residents strongly opposed its destruction or removal, and it was instead painted black in an effort to make it less visible.
The war also damaged the monument’s marble surface, causing portions of the finish to peel away. Restoration work therefore became necessary after the war.
A restoration committee was established in 1956, and restoration work was carried out in 1958.
During the restoration, the original marble finish was replaced with a white cement finish. The total cost was approximately 1.03 million yen and was covered through support from both Japan and overseas.
Relations between Onjuku Town and Acapulco, Mexico became increasingly active from 1975 onward. In 1978, the two cities officially established a sister-city relationship.
As part of this exchange, the area surrounding the monument was developed into Mexico Memorial Park, further strengthening the site’s role as a symbol of friendship between Japan and Mexico.
In 2009, Onjuku held commemorative events marking the 400th anniversary of the San Francisco shipwreck and rescue.
The ceremony was attended by the Crown Prince of Japan as well as representatives from Spain and Mexico. During the commemorations, the Spanish government awarded a decoration to the people of Onjuku, while the Mexican government presented the town with a statue.
The Monument Commemorating the Beginning of Relations among Japan, Spain, and Mexico stands as a reminder of an extraordinary event in the early 17th century, when local residents rescued people from a foreign shipwreck and an unexpected connection between distant countries was created.
Today, the monument and Mexico Memorial Park preserve this story of rescue, international exchange, and friendship. Together with the panoramic views from the hilltop, the site offers visitors a chance to discover a lesser-known chapter of Japan’s international history while exploring the coastal town of Onjuku.