Gyokusendo Cave & Peace Memorial Museum
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Port
Naha, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$159.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Walk through the amazing Gyokusendo Cave, located in the Okinawa World theme park. It is a two-mile-long cave renowned for its intricate limestone formations and is the largest cave of its kind in Japan. With 900,000 stalagmites and stalactites and underground streams, the cave offers exquisite and mysterious scenery along its dimly-lit path.
Continue to the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum. In 1945, a fierce battle took place on these islands. The "typhoon of steel" lasted 90 days and disfigured mountains, destroyed much of the local cultural legacy, and claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people.
The Battle of Okinawa was the only ground battle fought on Japanese soil and was also the largest-scale campaign of the Asia-Pacific War. Even Okinawa's civilians were fully mobilized. A significant aspect of the Battle of Okinawa was the great loss of civilian life. The Okinawan experience of war gave rise to the construct of the "Okinawan Heart" -- a term that describes resilience and personal dignity. Okinawans reject acts of war and cherish their own culture. The Cornerstone of Peace monument stands as a symbol of their loss. At Memorial Park, you will glimpse the numerous marble memorials dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa.
Notes:
Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. There are 130 steps (up and down) at the Gyokusendo Cave, with no elevators or ramps. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Photography is not permitted inside the Peace Memorial Museum. The museum presents information about the War in the Pacific from a Japanese perspective; while some portrayals may be at odds with American sentiment, it is nonetheless an interesting visit. Bring local currency, as many vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars. Tour order may vary.