The period of 1905-1945 in history of Sakhalin island is known for establishment of Japanese governorship Karafuto. Although the significant part of vestiges of Japanese presence was demolished after 1945, yet some constructions aimed to be used for civil and cultural purposes were kept because they played an important role in economic life of that time. Like, for example, Karafuto governorship museum, some office and bank buildings, lighthouses, meteorological station and even ruins of Shintoist shrines – intentionally or accidentally they were kept and became important part of social memory of Russian people on Sakhalin.

What is more, some of them are currently being used in accordance with their original purpose. The building of the Karafuto governor museum and significant part of its exhibition has been preserved and are being used even today. Functions of some other constructions have changed though. For example, there is Sakhalin regional art museum in the former building of “Takushyoku” bank now, and we can see soviet stars next to late modern bas-relief.