The park contains the Cornerstone of Peace, a series of concentric granite walls engraved with the names of all those who died in the Battle of Okinawa, including civilians and foreign soldiers.
The park is situated near Mabuni Hill, the location where the Japanese 32nd Army command was defeated in 1945.
The site was officially established in 1975 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the end of the war.
The memorial lists names by alphabetical order within nationality and affiliation, rather than rank or military status.
The park grounds are home to more than 50 monuments representing different Japanese prefectures that sent soldiers to the island.
The 'Everlasting Flame of Peace' was lit using fire brought from Zamami Island, where the first US landings occurred, and from Hiroshima, the first city hit by an atomic bomb.
Peace Memorial Park is located at the southern tip of Okinawa Island, marking the final site of the Battle of Okinawa. It centers on the Peace Memorial Museum and the Cornerstone of Peace, which features engraved names of over 240,000 fallen soldiers and civilians regardless of nationality. The park serves as an extensive memorial site spanning over 40 hectares along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Visitors encounter the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum, which documents the harrowing history of the local civilian population during the conflict. Numerous individual prefecture monuments are scattered throughout the extensive landscaped grounds. The site remains a primary location for the annual Okinawa Memorial Day ceremony held every June 23rd.
The Everlasting Flame of Peace with the ocean horizon in the background.
Allocate significant time for the indoor museum, as it is extensive and emotionally heavy.
Bring sun protection, as the park features large, open, and exposed grassy areas with limited natural shade.
Walk the perimeter of the Cornerstone of Peace to fully appreciate the scale of the memorial walls.
Do not treat the site as a casual recreational park; avoid loud group activities or picnicking in solemn memorial zones.
The park is generally open daily, but the Peace Memorial Museum observes occasional holiday closures; always check local notices for the June 23rd memorial event.
Maintain a quiet, respectful tone; avoid loud conversation near monuments and memorial walls.
