The museum grounds include the 'Cornerstone of Peace,' a series of concentric granite walls inscribed with the names of all individuals who perished in the Battle of Okinawa, including those from other nations.
The location in Mabuni was specifically chosen because it was the site of the final command post of the Japanese 32nd Army.
The museum houses over 1,500 personal items, photographs, and documents donated by survivors and their families.
It is unique among Japanese war museums for explicitly highlighting the civilian tragedy and the systemic issues surrounding the Battle of Okinawa.
The building was designed by architect Kiyonori Kikutake, known for his work in the Metabolist movement.
The museum regularly updates its displays based on ongoing archaeological findings from former battle sites across the prefecture.
The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum is located at the Mabuni Hill site, the final battlefield of the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. The museum centers on the lived experiences of Okinawan civilians, soldiers, and Allied forces during the 1945 conflict. Its core exhibitions are structured into four zones that chronicle the lead-up to the war, the reality of the battle, and the subsequent post-war reconstruction. The site is part of the larger Peace Memorial Park, which encompasses the Cornerstone of Peace monument where names of the fallen are inscribed regardless of nationality. The architecture features wide, open spaces and concrete structures designed to reflect the gravity of the events commemorated. It serves as a central research hub for peace education and documentation of war-time artifacts. The museum emphasizes the 'Battle of Okinawa' not just as a military engagement, but as a humanitarian catastrophe for the local Okinawan population. It provides extensive visual and audio testimonies from survivors to preserve historical memory. The facility is positioned overlooking the Pacific Ocean, symbolizing a commitment to lasting global peace.
The elevated observation deck offering a view over the Peace Memorial Park and the Pacific Ocean.
Visit the Peace Memorial Park outside the museum building to walk the pathways along the coastal cliffs.
Plan your visit to allow time for reading the personal testimonies, as they provide the essential context for the exhibits.
Use the available audio-guide devices to access English narration for the exhibits.
Do not attempt to visit in a single hour; the depth of the archives requires a slow, deliberate pace.
Closed annually on December 29th through January 3rd.
Maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor throughout the galleries; photography is restricted in specific sensitive exhibition areas.
