Join thousands of local residents who come to the Peace Memorial Park each year to pay their respects to the casualties of war. Visit the museum to discover more about those involved in the bloody Battle of Okinawa and stand in awe of the glistening Eternal Flame Memorial and the tall white tower of the Okinawa Peace Hall.
Built during the 1970s, the Peace Memorial Park was created to remember the 240,000 people who died in 1945 in the last days of the Pacific War. The park aims to promote peace through an understanding of the tragic events that took place. Stroll through the spacious gardens and simple architecture, which provide a calming and pleasant place.
Head to the Okinawa Peace Hall where you can admire the 150-foot (45-metre) gleaming white tower. This is intended as a symbol of hope for world peace. From here, stroll along the shaded, tree-lined path known as the Cornerstone of Peace. This curved avenue is lined with stones engraved with the names of those who died during the battle.
Along the way you will see the magnificent Flame of Peace. This large metal torch burns in the centre of a pond of crystal clear water and was made from flames from torches at the two Japanese cities that suffered nuclear attacks during World War II. Pay your respects here in the same way that foreign dignitaries from around the world have done in the past.
Don’t miss the large museum where a range of displays tells the stories of the Okinawan people in the period during and after the war. Bring your kids to see the interactive exhibitions on the downstairs level of the museum. These promote the importance of world peace in an engaging way.
Find the Peace Memorial Park on Mabuni Hill about a half hour drive south of Naha. There is a small admission fee for the museum, which is open daily.
