SUI TAXI · SOUTH OKINAWA
Himeyuri Tower Carving a Pledge for Peace into the Heart.
Itoman City War Memorial | Peace Memorial Museum | Southern Okinawa
Quietly Facing the Souls of the Fallen Young Women.
Standing in Itoman City, Himeyuri Tower is a cenotaph honoring the schoolgirls and teachers who served as student nurse corps during the Battle of Okinawa and met a tragic fate. In the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, 240 students and teachers from the Okinawa Normal School Women's Division and Okinawa Prefectural First Girls' High School (222 students and 18 teachers) were mobilized, and 136 of them lost their lives at the young ages of 15 to their early twenties. The name "Himeyuri" derives from the school newsletter names -- "Himeyuri" (Princess Lily) from the Normal School and "Otohime" from the Girls' High School. This place, which quietly conveys the hardships they endured and the injustice of war, continues to draw many visitors who come to offer silent prayers.
The adjacent Himeyuri Peace Memorial Museum features carefully curated exhibits based on survivors' testimonies, providing a deeper understanding of the realities of the Battle of Okinawa. Inside, photographs, relics, and testimony videos from the period are displayed, tracing the realities of wartime nursing activities, retreat orders, and the tragedy that followed the disbandment order. Many visitors are moved to tears after touring the museum, testament to the sincere and deeply moving nature of its exhibits. Admission is 450 yen for adults.
Himeyuri Tower is approximately 40 minutes from central Naha. As a cornerstone of the Southern Peace Learning Course, the popular "Southern Course" combines this with Peace Memorial Park and Okinawa World. Traveling by SUI TAXI Alphard reduces the burden of moving between spots, allowing you to focus on learning about the importance of peace. This is a spot we especially recommend for school trips, family travel, and individuals who want to deeply learn about Okinawa's history.
Flowers offered at the cenotaph. Many people still visit to pray for peace.
Himeyuri Tower and the Peace Memorial Museum
Himeyuri Tower is a cenotaph built above the Ihara Third Surgical Shelter, which came under fierce American attack in the final stages of the Battle of Okinawa. The entrance to the shelter is still preserved, allowing visitors to feel the conditions of that time firsthand. Flowers are always placed around the cenotaph, quietly conveying the deep sorrow and prayers of the Okinawan people that continue to this day. Standing before the tower, the contrast of blue sky and green grass makes the weight of the site's history feel even more profound.
The Peace Memorial Museum compiles testimonies from Himeyuri student corps survivors in video and written form. Learning how young lives were tossed about by war is an essential experience for reaffirming the value of peace for those of us living in the present day. Allow approximately 60-90 minutes for the museum visit. Pamphlets in multiple languages are distributed at the museum, providing thorough guidance for international visitors as well.
The Itoman grounds where Himeyuri Tower stands. Quiet time now flows over what was once a battlefield.
Exhibits at the Peace Memorial Museum. Testimonies and records from that era are carefully preserved.
Southern Peace Course by Taxi
The "Southern Peace Course (4-5 hours)" visiting Himeyuri Tower and Peace Memorial Park from central Naha is widely chosen for school trips and family travel as a journey to learn about Okinawa's history. Using a charter taxi enables smooth travel between spots without wasting time, something difficult to achieve with public buses. The exhibits and the multilingual materials on site explain the background of the Battle of Okinawa; if you would like a fuller explanation on the day, please arrange a licensed specialist separately.
The "Southern Full Course (6-8 hours)" adding Okinawa World's Gyokusendo Cave and Chinen Cape Park allows you to combine peace learning with Okinawa's natural and cultural experiences in a single day. The solemn time at Himeyuri Tower contrasting with the subsequent Ryukyu cultural experience at Okinawa World creates a fulfilling journey that deeply conveys Okinawa's past and present.
— Notes for the Southern Peace Course: Himeyuri Tower and Peace Memorial Park are solemn places. Please maintain a respectful atmosphere during your visit. Especially in summer, as outdoor viewing is extensive, please remember to stay hydrated. Allow ample time for the museum visit.
Himeyuri Tower Tour Fares
| Plan | Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip charter from Naha (3 hours) | ¥21,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥4,200 per person. Expressway tolls, parking and admission charged separately |
| Southern peace course (4–5 hours, with Peace Memorial Park and the Navy HQ) | ¥28,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥5,600 per person. Expressway tolls, parking and admission charged separately |
| Naha Airport → hotels in Naha and Itoman (transfer) | ¥14,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥2,800 per person. Expressway tolls included |
| hotels in Naha and Itoman → Naha Airport (transfer) | ¥14,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥2,800 per person. Expressway tolls included |
Charter fares are time-based at ¥7,000 per hour (¥3,500 per additional 30 minutes booked in advance). Extensions made after departure are ¥4,200 per 30 minutes. Admission, expressway tolls and parking are charged at cost. For charters of 6 hours or more we take a 30% deposit when you book, and the balance is paid on the day. Minimum booking times depend on where you start: from 3 hours in the south and central area, 4 hours in Onna Village and 6 hours in the north, and 8 hours for trips that cross between the south and the north. Where a long transfer is involved, the transfer fare for that stretch is the floor for the price.
Address
671-1 Ihara, Itoman City, Okinawa
Opening Hours
9:00 - 17:30 (last entry 17:00)
Museum Admission
Adults 450 yen / High School 250 yen / Elementary & Jr High 150 yen
From Naha
Approx. 40 min by car (via Southern Expressway)
Access Information
| Location | 671-1 Ihara, Itoman City, Okinawa |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:30 (last entry 17:00) |
| Closed | Open year-round |
| Museum Admission | Adults 450 yen / High School 250 yen / Elementary & Jr High 150 yen |
| From Naha | Approx. 40 min via Southern Expressway |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi from Naha to the Himeyuri Tower cost?
A round-trip charter of 3 hours starts from ¥21,000. That is the price for one Alphard carrying up to five guests, so with five people it works out from ¥4,200 each. Museum admission (¥450 adults, ¥250 high school, ¥150 elementary and junior high) is charged separately.
How long does the visit take?
The museum takes 40 to 60 minutes if you read the displays. With time at the monument itself, allow an hour.
Can we add Peace Memorial Park?
Yes, about 10 minutes away. With the Former Navy Underground HQ as well it becomes a 4 to 5 hour southern peace course from ¥28,000.
Is it suitable for children?
School groups visit, but the exhibits record the war without softening it. Depending on your children's ages, you are welcome to wait outside the museum while others go in.
Can we lay flowers?
There is a flower stand at the monument, and flowers are sold nearby. Tell us when you book if you would like to stop for them.
Ready to book?
Recommended Combination Courses
Peace Memorial Park
Over 240,000 names engraved on the hills of Mabuni. The heart of the Southern Peace Course.
Stay 30 min+
Chinen Cape
A spectacular cape overlooking the Pacific. A refreshing highlight of the southern drive.
Stay 30–60 min
Okinawa World
Gyokusendo Cave, Ryukyu culture, and Eisa dance shows. A classic southern Okinawa attraction.
Stay 60 min+
Ryukyu Glass Village
About 5 minutes from the Himeyuri Monument. A workshop where glassblowers work in front of you.
Stay 30 min+