okinawa battle sites tour

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• 8-Hour Okinawa Tour: The Final Great Battle of World War II

8-Hour Okinawa Tour: The Final Great Battle Of World War II

Tour Category

Private Tour

Nature, Trekking, History

Activity Level

Description

Embark on an 8-hour tour exploring critical sites of the Battle of Okinawa! Visit Hacksaw Ridge, Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, and memorials like Lieutenant General Buckner's Monument and the Himeyuri Student Nurse Monument. Then, explore the Okinawa Prefecture Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park, gaining profound insights into this historic conflict. After that, Wear slip-resistant shoes for a short hike on Hacksaw Ridge. The tour wraps up as it provides a concise and impactful exploration of the Battle of Okinawa.

Hike to Hacksaw Ridge and gain insights into the Battle of Okinawa

Explore remnants crucial to the Battle of Okinawa

Pay respects at the monument honouring General Buckner's sacrifice during the Okinawa campaign

Visit the Tomori Stone Lions, symbols of Okinawa's resilience and survivors of the Battle of Okinawa

Itinerary Expand All Collapse All

• Meet your tour guide and depart from the port/airport/hotel. 
• Embark on a short hike to Maeda Kochi (Hacksaw Ridge). Please be informed that you should wear sports or walking shoes with a slip-resistant outsole. Especially some parts of Hacksaw Ridge are Ryukyu limestone, which is slippery.
• Enter the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters.
• Have lunch at a local cuisine restaurant.
• Visit the Memorial Monument of Lieutenant General Buckner, the commanding general of the U. S. 10th Army during the campaign on Okinawa, who was killed on this spot on June 18, 1945, at the Battle of Okinawa.
• Head to Tomori Stone Lions on the top of a hill, one of the Battle's best-known survivors.
• Visit the Himeyuri Student Nurse Monument, dedicated to female high school students who worked in field hospitals and perished their lives.  Enter Okinawa Prefecture Peace Memorial Museum
• Walk around Okinawa Prefecture Peace Memorial Park to observe the Cornerstone of Peace and Flame of Peace.

What's Included

• Guiding services
• English maps

What's Excluded

• 600 yen per adult: Admission Fee for The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters
• 450 yen per adult: Admission Fee for Himeyuri peace memorial museum
• Personal shopping
• Transportation
• Clean, spacious, comfortable Toyota Alfard with A/C (3 to 4 travellers):26,000 yen for 8 hours with a driver
• Clean, spacious, comfortable TOYOTA Crown with A/C (1 to 2 travellers): 23,000 yen for 8 hours with a driver
• Clean, spacious, comfortable TOYOTA Hi-Ace with A/C (5 to 8 travellers): 32,000 yen for 8 hours with a driver This is an additional service and the cost of the vehicle is not included in the tour price and needs to be paid in cash on the spot  

What to bring

• Sport or walking shoes with a slip-resistant outsole

Know before you go

• Please be informed that you wear sports or walking shoes with a slip-resistant outsole. Especially some parts of Hacksaw Ridge are Ryukyu limestone, which is slippery.

Cancellation Policy

No refund in case of any cancellation.

Price Details

Please select a date to proceed!

Okinawa Battle Sites Tour

This is post 2 of 18 in the series “Discover Okinawa”

Discover Okinawa is a series of posts that has everything to do with all things Okinawa. Join us on our journey as we bike around islands, explore Okinawa’s wildlife, eat amazing food, and everything in between!

• Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: From Coral Reefs to Whale Sharks
• Day Trip To Cape Hedo, Okinawa
• Zamami Island, Okinawa
• Hiji Falls Hike, Okinawa
• Tsuken Island Okinawa, aka “Carrot Island”
• Iriomote Island, Japan – Beaches, Jungles, and Wild Cats
• Okinawa World Heritage Sites

Indiana Jones Trail, Okinawa

• Exploring Ie Shima, Okinawa
• Tunnel Rats, Exploring Okinawa’s WWII Caves
• Okinawa Night Hike, Photographing Wildlife
• Walk the Gusuku Route in Kitanakagusuku
• Spending a Day on Kudaka Island, Okinawa
• What to Know about Okinawa’s Shisa: The Guardian Lions
• Visit Kumejima – Beaches, Caves, Views, and So Much More
• Visiting Kouri Island: A Must Visit Destination in Okinawa
• Dive Cape Maeda: Okinawa’s Famous Blue Cave

Okinawa is a beautiful Island that is part of the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Today, visitors flock to Okinawa to stay at the resorts, participate in water activities, attend festivals, and visit some of the WWII sites. Okinawa was the site of one of WWII’s most bloodiest battles. When traveling to Okinawa, visitors have a chance to explore many of the historic battle sites, from hiking to the top of Hacksaw Ridge, one of Okinawa’s most famous sites to learning more about the battle at the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum. Joining an Okinawa Battle Sites Tour is one of the best ways to learn about the history of Okinawa during WWII and see some of the most famous sites. 

**This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support!

Table of Contents

Brief History on the Battle of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa took place on the island of Okinawa between US forces and the Imperial Japanese Army beginning April 1st 1945 lasting until June 22nd 1945. The Battle of Okinawa was the bloodiest battle for the fight in the Pacific War where upwards to 12,000 Americans and over 100,000 Japanese lost their lives. Another 100,000+ citizens lost their lives on the Island by either being killed in combat or death by suicide. The US invasion of Okinawa was part of Operation Iceberg. The goal of this operation was to seize and control the Ryukyu Islands before pushing upward toward Mainland Japan.

On April 1st, the American troops set foot on the beaches of Okinawa, surprisingly with little to no resistance. The majority of the Japanese Imperial Army were waiting in southern Okinawa at an area known as the Shuri Defense Line .

April 26th was when the American troops arrived at The Maeda Escarpment otherwise known as Hacksaw Ridge . Hacksaw Ridge is a 400 ft. cliff that the Japanese used as a stronghold to hold off the American troops. The Japanese Army utilized the terrain here to construct underground tunnels and bunkers. Because of this and the terrain, the American Troops were forced to scale the cliff to attack the enemy. The battle at Hacksaw Ridge lasted eleven days before the US Troops eventfully took over. There were several more battles after Hacksaw Ridge, but on June 22nd 1945 General Ushijima and his Chief of Staff General Cho performed a ritual suicide which ultimately led to the end of the Battle of Okinawa. 

The tour company on Camp Foster offers an Okinawa Battle Sites Tour a few times a month. I understand, not everyone traveling to Okinawa has access to the bases, but I am sure there are similar Battle Site Tours offered by companies outside the military bases. In reality, we could have visited all the sites offered by the tour by ourselves, but I figured we would learn a lot more by taking the tour and hearing it from someone that actually knows their Okinawan history. 

The Okinawa Battle Sites Tour was an all day event and visited four sites around southern Okinawa. The four locations included in this particular tour included a visit to Hacksaw Ridge , The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters , the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum at Camp Kinser, and the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum and Park . 

Hacksaw Ridge

I’ll be honest, I’ve never heard of Hacksaw Ridge until my favorite director and actor Mel Gibson made a movie about it. Even then, I thought it was a great movie but never paid attention to the location or where it took place. In fact, I had no clue it was in Okinawa until I saw it on the tour pamphlet. Come to find out it’s only 15.5 kilometers (9.6 miles) from where I currently live. Because I knew the name based on the movie, I was very much looking forward to coming here on the tour and see the actual site. 

The movie focused primarily on the war hero  Desmond Doss . Doss was a combat medic and Seventh Day Adventist Christian who refused to carry a firearm in to battle. Doss was awarded several medals including the Medal of Honor for his bravery. Doss saved between 50-100 wounded soldiers, putting his life at risk on numerous occasions. He was wounded four times to include being shot by a sniper bullet in the arm and getting shrapnel lodged in his body after stepping on a grenade. To this day he is the only Conscientious Objector. I had to look that one up but it is someone who refuses to perform military service. He left Okinawa on May 21, 1945. In 2003, he made an appearance in Okinawa, our tour guide actually met him. Today on Hacksaw Ridge the rock still remains that he used to lower wounded soldiers to safety. We know this because he actually pointed it out when he was here. Desmond Doss died March 23, 2006.

Today, Hacksaw Ridge is a nice expansive park with playgrounds, walking trails, castle ruins, and a royal mausoleum. The Urasoe Joseki Castle Ruins are the remnants of a castle here from the 13th century. The castle was burned down in 1609 by the Satsuma Domain. The ruins were then used by the Japanese as protection during the war. Another well known site within the park is the Urasoe Youdore constructed in 1261. According to online sources, there are three royal mausoleums in the Ryukyu Kingdom and this was one of them. This mausoleum is the final resting place for three rulers and one king of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The mausoleum was heavily damaged during the war but has gone through restoration processes to restore it.

Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

At the time, this was not included in the tour I was on because COVID-19 restricted large groups, so I visited this historical site on my own. 

The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters is open to visitors. There is no need to make a reservations for visiting. During opening hours, visitors can come here, visit the museum, and walk around the underground tunnel complex.

In 1944, thousands of men put in very hard work to dig out the Navy Underground Headquarters. The tunnel is about 20 meters deep and there are about 450 meters of tunnels with a few entrances/exits. During the war, the tunnels were large enough to house around 4,000 soldiers. 

Rear Admiral Ota Minoru was the Commanding Officer of the Japanese forces in Okinawa and used the Underground Headquarters to send a telegraph to the Navy Vice Admiral in Tokyo basically saying that the people of Okinawa fought their hearts out. US forces stormed the island and Rear Admiral Ota knew that they would be defeated. Rear Admiral Ota and six other officers committed suicide in the Underground Headquarters on June 13, 1945. 

Today, visitors can explore the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters. The entrance to the tunnels begins with walking down 105 stairs. There are several pathways to walk around, there are arrows guiding visitors on the recommended route. On the tour, you can visit the Staff Officer’s Room. The walls of the room are covered in holes from a grenade that was used by the officers when they decided to end their lives. Visitors can also see other rooms throughout the tunnels to include the Petty officer’s room, medical room, generator rooms, and the Commanding Officer’s room. 

Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum

The next stop on the Okinawa Battle Sites Tour was to the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum located on Camp Kinser. The museum is on a military base so not everyone can access it. But if anyone does have access, you would have to make an appointment to view the museum or join one of the tours.

The museum is operated by volunteers and all of the items on display (photos, artifacts, memorabilia) are donated by collectors, locals, and veterans. Many of the artifacts have been found during construction projects or items washed up ashore and donated to the museum. The museum is divided showing sections of the Marine Corps, Army, and Navy, there is even a section dedicated to Japan. For being a small museum, I felt it had a lot of interesting artifacts and detailed articles. The museum had old newspapers and magazine articles covering the war, soldier uniforms, and a vast collection of weapons. 

Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum

The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum was the last stop of the tour. The Peace Memorial Museum is located at the southern tip of the island and is the main memorial for all the victims of the Battle of Okinawa . 

Unfortunately, for this tour we only had about an hour here which is not nearly enough time to cover the entire park and museum. We had just enough time to walk the perimeter and visit some of the observatory decks. But there is a lot to this park and I would say 6 hours is needed here to fully explore the park and museum. 

One of the more recognizable monuments here at the park is the Cornerstone of Peace . Like the Vietnam Memorial in D.C., this memorial is made up of large stones with names of the fallen etched in them. There are over 240,000 names etched in the stones to include all nationalities. 

After visiting the Cornerstone of Peace, we walked this beautiful sidewalk with memorials that were donated from each Japanese Prefecture. We didn’t have time to view each memorial, but everyone we walked by was absolutely beautiful. The grounds at the Peace Park are kept in immaculate condition. 

Although we didn’t have much time to explore the park, I am glad we managed to stop here and see a few memorials within the park. We definitely plan on coming back at some point on our own. Next time we visit the Peace Memorial Park we will check out the museum and take our time viewing the memorials.

Update – On February 19, 2022, I visited the museum during a rainy weekend. The museum was impressive and full of information related to the war. The museum didn’t take sides or point fingers. Instead, it provided first hand accounts from the war and showed how everyone on the island was affected by it. The museum had amazing displays and very sad stories and graphic images. 

There was a room with personal testimonies from civilians that were on Okinawa during the war. There were several prints to read in both English and Japanese. I spent about a half hour reading these testimonies and they were gut wrenching. Many of the stories were told by children and young adults as they tell their stories of the horrors they witnessed. I could have spent hours going through the hundreds of stories. 

Below is a photo I took from an observation deck near the Cornerstone of Peace area. The whole coastline at the Peace Park is just gorgeous!

Location Information

Hacksaw Ridge in Urasoe Daikoen Park

Address: 2 Chome-53 Nakama, Urasoe, Okinawa 901-2103

Admission : Free

Hours of Operation: Every Day from 0900 to 2100. 

Address: 236 Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0241

Admission : ¥450 per person

Hours of Operation: Daily from 0830 to 1700

Address: 444 Mabuni, Itoman, Okinawa 901-0333

Admission : ¥300 for Adults, ¥150 for Children

Hours of Operation: Park is open 24 hours. Museum is open daily from 0900 to 1700.

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Battle of Okinawa [Battlefield Tour] Tour of 5 Okinawa Battlefield National Parks and Battlefields, including Gama Irrigation. From one person. A young guide will guide you! About 15 minutes from the Himeyuri Peace Museum. のプランページは現在予約できません。

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• Itoman City/Tomigusuku City
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Super Summer Sale 2024 [Okinawa Southern Itoman] Jungle Buggy Adventure Ages 4 and up OK ☆ 30 minutes from Naha Airport! You can play on the first and last days of your trip

[Okinawa, Itoman] Easy access from Naha, uninhabited island landing tour! Enjoy the Okinawan sea with a wide range of activities such as clear kayaking, clear SUP, and sea scooter!

《Super Summer Sale 2024 in progress♪♪》Last minute reservations accepted! Let's have fun in the ocean of Itoman and snorkel with sea turtles♪ There is a high chance of encountering sea turtles

Super Summer Sale 2024♪ Natural aquarium with sea turtles☆ Beginner-friendly snorkeling at Johnman Beach♪♪ Hospitality from experienced guides☆ Transportation included

"Super Summer Sale 2024" <Okinawa, Southern Area> Starry Sky Photo and Space Walk in Southern Area (Itoman, Chinen) Photo shoot with stars as background for each participant *Summer is just around the corner! Discount extended

[Okinawa/Naha/Senagajima Beach] Tokoton practice! Windsurfing experience

[Okinawa Senagajima Coast] Excellent access from Naha Airport! SUP (stand up paddle board) 1 hour experience

[Okinawa main island, southern part, Itoman city] ★ Beach walk ★ Sea turtle exploration course with the latest paddle board Hobie (40 minutes) Guided photography data presentation

【沖縄本島・南部・糸満市】★ビーチウォーク★最新パドルボードHobieでサクッと近場コース(所要時間20分)ガイド付き写真撮影データプレゼン

[Okinawa main island, southern part, Itoman city] ★Beach walk★ Sea turtle search and untouched uninhabited island cruising course on the latest paddle board Hobie (required time 60 minutes)

[For groups only♪] ☆ Natural aquarium with sea turtles ☆ Private snorkeling at Johnman Beach ♪♪ A little luxury hospitality from an experienced guide ☆ Transportation included

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War Memorials

Near the end of World War Two , Okinawa Honto became the site of one of the war's bloodiest battles, when the US forces invaded and occupied the island. An estimated 200,000 people, including more than 100,000 civilians and 12,500 Americans were killed in the battle, which lasted from April to June 1945.

The devastating effects of the war had a profound impact on the Okinawans, and there are a number of monuments and museums relating to the period throughout Okinawa Honto. The worst fighting of the battle took place in the south, and that is where some of the larger monuments have been constructed.

The main memorial to the Battle of Okinawa is the Peace Memorial Park , which is located near the southern tip of the island. Its main attraction is the Peace Memorial Museum, which gives a sobering overview of the lead up to the battle, the battle itself and the reconstruction.

Other monuments in the park include the "Cornerstone of Peace", a collection of large stone plates with the names of all fallen soldiers and civilians, including Koreans, Taiwanese, Americans and Britons. There is also an area with memorials donated by each of Japan's 46 other prefectures .

A few kilometers west of the Peace Park stands the Himeyuri Monument (Himeyuri no To) with an adjacent museum. It commemorates the fate of female high school students, who worked in army field hospitals in caves under horrendous conditions. Most of them did not survive the war.

Another thought-provoking, war-related site is the Former Navy Underground Headquarters , which consists of several hundred meters of underground corridors and rooms that served as the Japanese navy's headquarters during the war. Many sailors committed suicide in these tunnels, after their situation had grown hopeless towards the end of the battle. Visitors can see in one area a room whose walls have been riddled with shrapnel from a grenade.

Getting there and around

Peace memorial park.

Take bus number 89 from Naha Bus Terminal to Itoman Bus Terminal (�����o�X�^�[�~�i��, 60 minutes, 590 yen, every 10-15 minutes), transfer to bus number 82 and get off at Heiwakinendō-iriguchi (���a�F�O������, 20 minutes, 480 yen, 1 bus/hour). By car , it takes about 50 minutes from central Naha.

Himeyuri Monument

Take bus number 89 from Naha Bus Terminal to Itoman Terminal (�����o�X�^�[�~�i��, 60 minutes, 590 yen, departures every 10-15 minutes), transfer to bus number 82 and get off at Himeyuri-no-tō-mae (�Ђ߂��̓��O, 20 minutes, 330 yen, 1 bus/hour). By car , it takes about 45 minutes from central Naha.

Former Navy Underground Headquarters

From the Naha Bus Terminal/Asahibashi, take bus number 55 or 98 to Tomigusuku Minami (�Ƃ݂�������, 15 minutes, 260 yen, 3-5 buses/hour) from where the Former Navy Underground Headquarters are a ten minute walk up the hill. By car , they can be reached in about 10-15 minutes from central Naha or Naha Airport.

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The Ultimate Travel Guide: War Tour of Okinawa

For the Japanese, Okinawa is the perfect opportunity to escape the rat race and indulge in some relaxation in a tropical haven. The appeal extends to foreigners worldwide who come for the serene nature, the abundant sea life, the sweltering beaches and turquoise oceans. However, there’s much more that lies beneath the surface. Okinawa has a rich and staggering history across many centuries. Not only was the island home to an ancient kingdom memorialised in the form of ruins and a scattering of tombs, but a more recent horrifying past. The island played host to the  bloodiest and most ferocious battles of the Pacific War. Okinawa stood as the last remaining obstacle before the Allies could advance to the mainland of Japan. As such, the war on Okinawa was fierce and unrelenting.

Scattered throughout the island are harsh reminders of the war. In modern times they’re the extensive number of American military bases, where the past is represented by monuments and artefacts that remain practically untouched since the end of the war. For some, the opportunity to explore sites that once played a significant role in some of the most devastating moments in human history is an awe-inspiring experience. A unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of warriors, and touch the same blood-soaked stones as they did.

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Table of Contents

Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

The many hundreds of meters of interconnected corridors and rooms that served the Japanese Navy played a vital role in the nation’s war effort. The headquarters was constructed to over-watch the strategically important airport and provided a secure location for the Navy’s high-ranking officials to command from. The tunnels were once home to thousands of soldiers, though many would never leave. Up to 4,000 lives were lost here, many of which were by their own hands as the Japanese neared defeat.

One of the most fascinating rooms in the whole complex of tunnels is the main command room. The walls have significant damage in the form of small holes and scuffs. Their significance only becomes clear from the small sign hanging on the wall. This is where on the 13th of June 1945, commander Minoru Oota sent a telegram to his superiors declaring the war on Okinawa had been unsuccessful, though the island’s citizens should be commended for their bravery. Shortly after, commander Oota committed suicide by detonating a grenade in his hands, which riddled the surrounding walls with shrapnel. That brought the war on Okinawa to a swift end.

1,000 Man Cave

Visitors to the little island of Ie Shima on the northwest of Okinawa will find little more than a small community of farmers, though the small contingent of US Marines should be an unwelcome reminder of the island’s past. This tiny island was unfortunately home to some of the most fierce battles of the Pacific War. Many of the island’s residents had nowhere to escape the carnage. Their only option was to take shelter in an enormous cave on the southern end of the island.

The enormous cavern known as 1,000 Man Cave became home for the locals on the island for an entire three months as the fighting continued around them. The cave’s residents had to deal with the harshest of conditions. Coral rock walls and the consistent movement of the tides deeper into the cave made for a difficult experience.

Hacksaw Ridge

Though the entire island of Okinawa is essentially a battleground, some sites hold more significance than others. The Japanese headquarters was stationed just south of Maeda Ridge, otherwise known by the American military as Hacksaw Ridge. The Americans had no choice but to scale the near-vertical limestone cliff to reach the headquarters and ultimately win the battle. Thus, it was the site of one of the bloodiest and most ferocious battles of the entire Pacific War.

Many tales originate from this battleground, one of which became the focus of a recent Hollywood adaptation. That’s the story of Desmond Doss, an American soldier and a non-combatant by his religious beliefs. He faced one of the bloodiest battles in history without a weapon in his hand. Despite the clear disadvantage, that didn’t prevent him from saving between 50-100 men from both sides by carrying them to safety.

Today it’s hard to believe the devastation that took place here. The cliff-edge now has a thick cover of foliage that has grown unhindered since the end of the war. Amazingly, the devastation of the war is not the only historical relevance the area has. Just to the left of the ridge stand the reconstructed ruins of Urasoe Castle. The site functioned as the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom that once ruled the island. Along with a number of tomb complexes, Hacksaw Ridge is positively oozing with historical relevance.

Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Park

The Peace Memorial Park is a site with a collection of memorials to the ravages of the war in Okinawa. A stark reminder as to why such a disaster should never occur again. The park’s main attraction is the Peace Memorial Museum, housing several exhibits detailing the build-up to the war, the war itself and its aftermath.

Closer towards the cliff’s edge is the “ Cornerstone of Peace “; a collection of gravestones engraved with the names of each victim of the war in Okinawa. They include the names of both military and civilians, with nationalities extending to Koreans, Taiwanese and even Britons. Nearby is also a collection of enormous monuments from each of the 46 prefectures across Japan. Some commanding an enormously large area and excessive grandeur. The perimeter of the park also has a number of cave entrances which the military would use to launch attacks and survey the coast.

Todoroki Cave

Okinawa has an extraordinary number of cave systems, many having served as headquarters and avenues of attacks by the Japanese military against the invading Americans. The island’s inhabitants would also use them to shelter from the destruction. These days, a few caves have become part of regular tours, turning into another basic user-friendly experience. However, some remain untouched and hidden from the public, providing a completely organic experience.

Todoroki Cave was originally used by sheltering civilians, though as the war came to an end and the defeat of Okinawa neared, the military also began taking shelter. Food and supplies ran short as the excess of people began dying of starvation. Once discovered, the Americans began throwing in grenades and petrol bombs to flush the inhabitants out. The most horrific tale is that of a crying baby being strangled to death from fear it would alert their position.

Coming with a torch is vital to see in the total darkness. Only then will you be able to see the incredible formations and the huge number of stalactites hanging from above. The most fascinating aspect of the cave is the number of shrines which would have been used by the cave’s former inhabitants. It provides a shocking reminder of the role it once played.

The cave is well-hidden and completely isolated. Concrete stairs and metal railings lead into a collapsed cavern to a point where the path vanishes. The entrance to the cave is a pitch-black hole about 1/3 the size of a regular door. Visitors must slide in feet first before crawling on hands and knees to enter the cavern. Due to the complete lack of people and safety measures, you should go with a guide, though not necessary.

Observation Post

On the outskirts of Nakagusuku Village, a location once regarded by the ancient Ryukyu Government as a place of worship stands the remains of a Japanese observation post. The point is known as 161.8, referring to its position above sea level. The stone observation post has an open view overlooking central Okinawa and outwards towards the ocean, playing a vital role during the war on Okinawa. It gives another unique outlook on how the war was fought, and the extent of the Japanese military’s defences. The observation post comes equipped with defence trenches and even connects to yet another cave system underneath.

Himeyuri Peace Museum

This museum is a dedication to 240 female students and teachers from the Okinawa Normal School and Okinawa First Girls’ High School that were inducted into the Okinawa Army Field Hospital during the war. The students aged between 17-18 worked in appalling conditions around the clock. Their base was within a cave network which is located just in front of the museum. They were tasked with endlessly caring for the injured and burying of the dead, all while withstanding constant bombardment and gunfire.

On June 18, 1945, the students were dismissed from their position, though their problems were far from over. They had nowhere to escape as the Americans continued their assault on the island. Many were killed in the ensuing battles, while others trapped within the cave were killed by poison gas attacks. Other students decided to end their own lives before having to face the Americans. Of the 240 students and teachers conscripted into the war on Okinawa, 227 died.

Ernie Pyle Monument

On April 16th, 1945, roughly 6,000 men and women lost their lives that took place on Ie Island. Some of those that fought were simply volunteers from the island wishing to defend their homes. One of the victims of the battle was the front-line correspondent, Ernie Pyle. His brutally honest depictions of life on the battlefield and the hardships of the American troops brought him to national recognition. A few minutes away from the island’s main port at his original burial site stands the Ernie Pyle Memorial. Annually the Okinawa American Legion and the stationed Marines hold a memorial service.

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Battle of okinawa, naha (okinawa), japan.

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Visit Okinawa's historic battlefield sites and monuments dedicated to the Battle of Okinawa in this touching and historical tour. Travel towards the southeast corner of Okinawa, passing by several residential and commercial areas. Stop for a visit at the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, located where Rear Admiral Ota and his men desperately fought to the end on June 13, 1945. Walk down the 101 steps into the narrow tunnels of the headquarters to see the commanding officer's room, staff room, generator rooms and more, giving you unique insight into the experiences the soldiers and officers had inside the headquarters. Your scenic drive takes you pass lush green fields and beautiful countryside en route to the Peace Memorial Park, where you will have the opportunity see the numerous stone memorials that are dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa. Not far from here you’ll find the Himeyuri Monument, built in memory of the female high school students and teachers who gave their lives working under deplorable conditions, tending the injured in makeshift hospitals during the war.

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A trip to the past: Marines visit Okinawa battle sites

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Mains | U.S. Marines visit the Battle of Okinawa Historical Display Museum aboard Camp Kinser... ... read more read more

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Mains | U.S. Marines visit the Battle of Okinawa Historical Display Museum aboard Camp Kinser during an Okinawa battle site tour Sept. 21, 2015. The Battle of Okinawa was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific and the last battle in the island hopping campaign during World War II. The Marines are with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)   see less | View Image Page

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

Story by cpl. ryan mains  , 31st marine expeditionary unit   february 2021">     march 2020">     september 2018">  .

CAMP KINSER, Japan - The Battle of Okinawa was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific and the last battle during the island hopping campaign in World War II. Although anticipated not to last more than a few weeks, the battle ended up lasting 82 days. In order to get a clearer picture of what the Marines who fought in the Battle of Okinawa had to go through, Marines from Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, were given an opportunity to attend a battle site tour around the island of Okinawa Sept. 21. “(The battalion), along with the rest of the 1st Marine Division, fought the battle for Okinawa from the initial landings on the Hagushi Beaches on April 1, 1945, to the Kiyan Peninsula on the southern tip of the island in late June,” said Capt. Jeffrey Butler, a forward air controller with BLT 2/5, 31st MEU. “The battalion’s most notable action was the fight for Hill 55 and Wana Draw during the last two weeks of May 1945.” During the battle site tour, Marines were bused to many different sites, giving them several opportunities to see the different terrain that was fought on as well as Japanese defensive positions. “Looking at the terrain today as opposed to what it was back then is completely different,” said 1st Lt. Kevin Hegerberg, a fire support officer with Echo Company, BLT 2/5, 31st MEU. “Going up the terrain now is a little easier, but back then everything was bombed out and, along with all of the mud and the rain, it would have been hell for those Marines.” One of the stops on the tour was at the Battle of Okinawa Historical Display Museum aboard Camp Kinser. The museum is full of both U.S. and Japanese weapons, uniform items and gear. “Chris Majewski, our tour guide, has scoured over every piece of this island; he knows it like the back of his hand and because he is a former Marine himself, he can speak, ‘Marine,’ and it definitely adds to what the terrain alone can say,” said Butler, a native of Burke, Virginia. “Seeing actual weapons and other artifacts from the fight, as well as being able to pick up and feel the weight of the rifles used in the battle was a highlight of the day.” Okinawa proved to be a tougher fight for the Americans than anticipated. The outcome of the battle, nicknamed the “Typhoon of Steel,” resulted in approximately 14,000 deaths for the U.S. and 77,100 deaths for the Japanese. “It’s important for Marines at every level to study and learn the heritage and history of the Marine Corps,” said Butler. “The battle of Okinawa occurred over 70 years ago, but the lessons learned from Private to General are still relevant and can be applied to future operations. It also builds pride within the unit.”

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