Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

Overview

The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters is a sobering underground tunnel complex where 4,000 Japanese soldiers took their own lives in June 1945 during the final days of the Battle of Okinawa. The tunnels now serve as a war memorial museum.

Highlights

• Tunnel Network: 450 meters of hand-dug corridors, 20 meters below ground, preserved in their wartime state.
• Commander's Room: The room where Rear Admiral Ōta Minoru sent his famous telegram pleading for fair treatment of Okinawan civilians before his death.
• Shrapnel Scars: Grenade damage and bullet marks are still visible on the tunnel walls.

History

Dug by hand between late 1944 and early 1945, the tunnels served as the headquarters for the Japanese Navy's Okinawa operations. On June 13, 1945, approximately 4,000 soldiers died here in a mass suicide. The site was opened to the public in 1970 and remains one of Okinawa's most important war memorials.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: The tunnels are cramped and can be emotionally intense — prepare for a solemn experience.
• Tip 2: English signage is limited; consider downloading an audio guide app.
• Duration: 45 min–1 hour.