Visit Japan Web Himeyuri Memorial Tower
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Himeyuri Memorial Tower. One of the tragic stories of World War II unfolded in Himeyuri. The Himeyuri Peace Museum and Himeyuri Cenotaph serve as poignant tributes. An ancient cave, extending for miles into the earth, also stands as a solemn reminder of Japan’s recent history. The Himeyuri Peace Museum is probably the museum with the most powerful and touching peace message. There is much to explore and contemplate here.
In March 1945, 222 female students and 18 teachers were conscripted into the Japanese Army. They provided care for the sick, delivered supplies to the troops and buried the deceased. Post-war, these girls came to be known as the “Himeyuri Student Corps” due to the school’s moniker, “Himeyuri.”
As the situation deteriorated, the group retreated to the southern part of Okinawa’s main island on May 25th. On June 18th, the students and teachers received a sudden order from the Japanese military to disband.
In the early hours of the following day, one of their hiding shelters was attacked. It caused death of 42 out of the 50 Himeyuri teachers and students present. Out of the 240 members of Himeyuri, 136 lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa.
The Himeyuri Peace Museum is a poignant reminder of the tragic episode. It features the Himeyuri Cenotaph, stalagmites and over a million stalactites. The park surrounding the cenotaph is in honor of the fallen Himeyuri students. They perished in the conflict known as the Typhoon of Steel. The museum’s six chambers vividly tell the story of the Lily Corps through photographs, exhibits, survivor testimonies as well as visitor reflections.
