Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

In 1944, during the final stages of the Pacific War, approximately 3,000 members of the Navy Construction Corps dug this underground command base. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, the headquarters became the site of a tragic end for the naval forces on June 13, when they were surrounded by overwhelming U.S. forces. Today, the site has been developed into the Prefectural Navy Headquarters Park, promoting peace. About 300 meters of the 450-meter-long tunnels and rooms are open to the public.

Visitors descend 105 steps from the visitor center to enter the underground tunnels, where numerous passageways extend throughout the facility. Visitors can explore rooms such as the commander’s office, staff rooms, and medical rooms, all preserved with traces of the past. The visitor center also houses an exhibition hall displaying various artifacts found within the tunnels, including military uniforms, weapons, and letters from fallen soldiers to their families—items that bear witness to the horrors of war and the importance of peace.

Outside the tunnels, visitors will find monuments such as the Tower of Remembrance and the Tree of Peace, as well as an observation deck offering panoramic views of Naha City and the East China Sea. The park also features walking paths, playgrounds, and recreational areas, making it a popular spot for both tourists and Okinawan residents to relax and enjoy the surroundings.