Visit Japan Web War Memorials
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore War Memorials. Near the conclusion of World War Two, Okinawa Honto witnessed one of the war’s most deadly conflicts as US forces invaded and seized the island. Around 200,000 individuals lost their lives during the battle, which raged from April to June 1945.
The profound impact of the war on the Okinawans is evident through numerous monuments and museums scattered across Okinawa Honto. The fiercest fighting of the battle occurred in the southern region, where several sizable monuments have since been erected.
The primary tribute to the Battle of Okinawa is the Peace Memorial Park, situated near the island’s southern tip. At its core is the Peace Memorial Museum, offering a poignant portrayal of the events leading up to the battle.
The park features several notable monuments such as the “Cornerstone of Peace”, which displays the names of fallen soldiers and civilians, including a diverse range of nationalities. Additionally, there is a section dedicated to memorials from each of Japan’s 46 other prefectures. A few kilometers to the west stands the Himeyuri Monument, along with an accompanying museum. It honors the tragic fate of female high school students who served in army field hospitals during the war.
Another compelling historical site related to war is the Former Navy Underground Headquarters. It comprises of several hundred meters of subterranean passages and chambers that functioned as the Japanese navy’s headquarters during the war. Numerous sailors took their own lives in these tunnels as their circumstances became increasingly dire towards the end of the battle. In one section, visitors can observe a room with walls that have been pierced by shrapnel from a grenade.
