SUI TAXI · TOMIGUSUKU
Former Navy Underground HQ The Last Days Carved Underground.
Tomigusuku City | WWII Heritage Site | Admiral Ota's Final Stand
30 Meters Below Naha -- Another Side of the Battle of Okinawa.
Beneath a small hill in Tomigusuku City, the Japanese Navy's wartime command bunker remains almost exactly as it was. Dug in 1944 by naval construction units using only pickaxes and hoes, the underground tunnels extend approximately 450 meters in total length. The commander's room, operations room, medical room, and cipher room are all connected by passageways, preserving the structure as it existed during the battle.
The moment you step inside, the air changes. Walking through the humid, low-ceilinged corridors, you feel the reality that thousands of soldiers lived in this space. Shrapnel marks from hand grenade suicides remain on the walls, making the history of this place immediately apparent.
Rear Admiral Minoru Ota, who met his end in this bunker, sent a telegram to the Vice Minister of the Navy just before taking his own life. In it, he pleaded on behalf of the Okinawan civilian population, asking that they receive special consideration from future generations. This telegram, in which a military commander advocated for civilians to his superiors, is one of the most important documents of the Battle of Okinawa. The full text is displayed in the museum, and reading it leaves you at a loss for words.
Passages inside the underground bunker. Pickaxe marks on the walls attest to the urgency of its construction.
What You'll See Inside the Bunker
Approximately 300 meters of tunnels are open to visitors. The commander's room shows traces of tatami mat flooring, clearly different in construction from other rooms. On the walls of the staff room, bullet marks from the final moments remain vivid, silently conveying that this was where lives ended. The medical room, where surgery was performed on wounded soldiers, now stands as an empty, silent space.
Emerging above ground, the area above the bunker has been maintained as "Navy Bunker Park," offering panoramic views of Naha city and the Kerama Islands from the observation deck. Knowing that people once watched the sea from this very spot during wartime changes how the scenery appears. The museum, located just before the bunker entrance, displays the original text of Admiral Ota's telegram and exhibits recreating life inside the bunker. Allow 60-90 minutes for both the museum and bunker tour.
The bunker entrance. Descend the stairs from ground level into the underground.
The commander's room where Rear Admiral Minoru Ota spent his final moments.
Getting to the Former Navy Underground HQ by Taxi
Just 10 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Only about 15 minutes from central Naha, making it easy to fit into arrival day or departure day free time. SUI TAXI often includes it as part of the Southern Peace Course (4-5 hours) from ¥28,000 combined with Himeyuri Tower and Peace Memorial Park, but short visits to the bunker alone are also available.
The bunker has many stairs and slippery floors, so please wear comfortable walking shoes. Even in summer the interior is cool, but prepare for heat above ground with water.
— 10 Minutes from the Airport: Close to Naha Airport, making it easy to visit right after arrival or before departure. Often used as the first stop on a southern course.
— Photography Allowed Inside: Photos are permitted without flash. A smartphone flashlight is helpful as the interior is quite dark.
Former Navy Underground HQ 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 Himeyuri Tower and Peace Memorial Park) | ¥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 Tomigusuku (transfer) | ¥14,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥2,800 per person. Expressway tolls included |
| hotels in Naha and Tomigusuku → 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
236 Tomigusuku, Tomigusuku City
Hours
8:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Admission
Adults 600 yen / Children 300 yen
From Naha Airport
Approx. 10 minutes by car
Access Information
| Location | 236 Tomigusuku, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa |
| Hours | 8:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30) |
| Closed | Open year-round |
| Admission | Adults 600 yen / Children 300 yen |
| From Naha Airport | Approx. 10 minutes by car |
| From Central Naha | Approx. 15 minutes by car |
| Parking | Available (free, approx. 50 spaces) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi from Naha to the Former Navy Underground HQ 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. Admission (¥600 adults, ¥300 children) is charged separately.
How long does the visit take?
About 40 minutes through the tunnels, and an hour with the museum displays above ground.
Can we stop there on the way to or from the airport?
Yes. It is 10 minutes from Naha Airport and about 15 from the city, which makes it easy to fit into arrival or departure day.
Is the tunnel easy to walk?
There are stairs throughout and the ceiling is low in places. Heels are awkward, so wear shoes you can walk in.
Can we add the Himeyuri Tower or Peace Memorial Park?
Yes, the Himeyuri Tower is about 25 minutes away. All three make a 4 to 5 hour southern peace course from ¥28,000.
Ready to book?
