On 2 May 1933, Japan established the "First Scientific Expedition to Manchukuo" (滿蒙學術調查研究團), which began an investigation that would last about 80 days in Jehol (熱河). The mission published a total of six reports, including reports from accompanying journalists, as well as commentaries from newspapers in China and Japan. This article, discusses three issues raised by these historical documents. The first part deals with the expedition's decision to visit Jehol and the political significance of this decision. Second, the expedition not only linked the Japanese Empire and knowledge, but also propagated the message of "colonial modernity." Third, in pursuing geographical knowledge of Manchuria and Mongolia, the expedition was also part of a power struggle or "cultural war" between China and Japan.