Сирутору, dissolved municipality in Karafuto, Japan
Сирутору is a dissolved Japanese municipality on the Russian island of Sakhalin, later renamed Makarov. The settlement served as an industrial center with a coal mine and paper factory that operated under Japanese administration.
The area was developed in the early 1900s following Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War. After World War II, the region returned to Soviet control, all Japanese residents were deported in 1946, and the settlement received a new Russian name.
Сирутору was established by Japanese settlers and maintained its name until Soviet administration began. The settlement reflected the multicultural character of the region, where Japanese, Russians, and Koreans lived and worked side by side in local industries.
The location is situated on Sakhalin island and is now known by its Russian name Makarov. Visitors can discover remnants from the Japanese period, including old bridges, a Japanese cemetery, and temple ruins scattered across the area.
The site preserves headstones with Japanese inscriptions that are regularly maintained by descendants. These quiet remains demonstrate how the local community maintains a hidden connection to its diverse past.
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