Former Japanese Navy Underground HQ

We took time over Thanksgiving weekend to travel on the southern part of the island. We toured the former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters. It is located on top of a hill overlooking the city of Naha. The Battle of Okinawa was one of the last major battles of WWII. Total deaths in that battle was 200,656 people (12,520 American soldiers).

Here we are entering the tunnel system. The colorful 1000 paper origami cranes were created to represent grief and pray for world peace for the individuals who lost their lives during the war. Members of the Japanese Navy Corps of Engineers dug the tunnel complex in 1944 for the Japanese Navy's Okinawa Headquarters. They served as underground headquarters to endure the American bombardment and long drawn out fighting and could sustain 4,000 men. The remains of 2,400 people were collected from this tunnel system after the war.

The tunnels were constructed utilizing hoes and picks, and you can see their markings on the tunnel walls and ceilings. It was very interesting to be able to tour the tunnel system, but very sobering as well.

The Underground Navy Headquarters is the place where Rear Admiral Ota and his men fought to the end on June 13, 1945. The picture below shows the commanding officer's room and the staff room with hand-grenade markings on the walls.