Guida
The Navy Headquarters Cave was constructed as a command base for the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Battle of Okinawa. It is a massive facility where approximately 3,000 soldiers and sailors are said to have hand-dug the tunnels over a period of five months, resulting in a vast network 20m underground and 450m in total length. While only about 300m of the tunnels are currently open to the public, the site preserves the raw reality of intense combat, including grenade marks on the walls, handwritten notes from the commander, and traces of daily life. This is not merely a historical ruin, but a profound place that asks us today: "What is peace?"
Okinawa served as the final bastion for the defense of the Japanese mainland and was the only place in Japan where a full-scale ground battle involving the civilian population occurred. This cave marks the location where the organized combat of the Japanese Navy reached its end. Following the post-war period of US administration, the Navy Memorial Tower was erected in 1958. The tower features a unique shape reminiscent of a warship, standing tall toward the Okinawan sky. The plaza in front of the memorial offers a panoramic view of Shuri Castle and the southern urban areas, blending historical significance with the local landscape.
The facility offers extensive exhibits to provide a multi-faceted understanding of history. The first-floor museum introduces the construction process of the cave and the events that unfolded within through panels, models, videos, and related documents. Additionally, the