Okinawa: Peace Memorial Museum & Cornerstone of Peace Tour

The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum presents a comprehensive and deeply personal view of the Battle of Okinawa. Through exhibits that include survivor testimonies, photographs, documents, and personal belongings, the museum tells the human story behind the war. Visitors gain insight not only into the scale of the tragedy but also into the resilience of those who lived through it. The museum encourages thoughtful reflection on the causes and consequences of war, and the importance of peace.

Located on a hill overlooking the sea, the Cornerstone of Peace is a solemn monument that honors all those who died in the Battle of Okinawa—over 240,000 individuals from Japan, the U.S., and other nations, both military and civilian. Names are engraved regardless of nationality, reminding visitors of the shared cost of war and the universal value of peace. The site offers a powerful moment of reflection and quiet remembrance in a setting both beautiful and sobering.