The tunnels were originally designed to house 4,000 personnel during the height of the Battle of Okinawa.
Concrete reinforcement was added to the tunnels for safety, but large sections retain the original hand-chiseled rock walls.
The headquarters served as the site where Admiral Minoru Ota and his staff committed ritual suicide as the American forces closed in.
The tunnel complex was sealed and left untouched for nearly 30 years after the war before efforts began to recover remains.
Shrapnel marks and bullet holes are still visible on the walls of several rooms inside the command center.
The Navy Headquarters Underground Park preserves the former Imperial Japanese Navy underground command center used during the Battle of Okinawa. The site features a 450-meter network of tunnels originally carved out by hand by Japanese soldiers. Visitors can explore the preserved rooms, including the former operation room and the code-breaking room, which remain largely as they were at the end of the conflict. The facility serves as a memorial to the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives within these tunnels. A nearby museum provides historical context through artifacts, photographs, and personal testimonies from the 1945 battle. The park grounds above the tunnels offer panoramic views overlooking Naha City and the East China Sea.
The entrance gate at the top of the hill provides a clear view of the park, and the exterior memorial markers are excellent for photography.
Bring a light sweater as the underground temperature remains significantly cooler than the surface, even in summer.
Wear comfortable, flat walking shoes with good grip to navigate the narrow, sloped, and uneven tunnel paths.
Spend time in the above-ground park area after exiting the tunnels to see the memorial monuments and city viewpoints.
Do not attempt to touch the cave walls or stray from the marked path as sections of the rock can be unstable.
Maintain a solemn and respectful demeanor as the site functions as a war memorial and gravesite.
