Sight guide · Okinawa · Japan
Visiting Himeyuri Peace Museum
This museum tells the story of the Himeyuri students, schoolgirls mobilised as nurses during the Battle of Okinawa, many of whom died in the caves of the south.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Himeyuri Peace Museum is a museum in Nanjo and the south, Okinawa. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Nanjo and the south
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history and rainy day
- Best months
- January, June and August
About Himeyuri Peace Museum
This museum tells the story of the Himeyuri students, schoolgirls mobilised as nurses during the Battle of Okinawa, many of whom died in the caves of the south. It uses survivors' testimonies, photographs and a recreated cave.
Tip: It is emotionally heavy; combine it with a quiet walk or cliff-top café rather than a theme park afterwards.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Nanjo and the south, cliff-top cafés, sacred sites and war memorials south-east of Naha.
Best time to visit Himeyuri Peace Museum
Himeyuri Peace Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- June: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- August: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- January: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Okinawa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Okinawa itinerary visits Himeyuri Peace Museum on day 3, together with Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and Sefa-utaki.
- No. 7 of the 18 sights in our Okinawa things-to-do list.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in okinawa on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Okinawa.
Near Himeyuri Peace Museum
Also in Nanjo and the south, so you can walk between them:
- Okinawa Peace Memorial Park — 2 hours, free
- Sefa-utaki — 1 hour, low cost
- Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
Staying near Himeyuri Peace Museum
Stay in Nanjo and the south ($$) to walk here: cliff-top cafés, sacred sites and war memorials south-east of Naha. All areas to stay in Okinawa.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Himeyuri Peace Museum?
Plan 1 hour. With Okinawa Peace Memorial Park nearby, it fits a half-day in Nanjo and the south.
+Is Himeyuri Peace Museum free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Himeyuri Peace Museum?
January, June and August, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. It is emotionally heavy; combine it with a quiet walk or cliff-top café rather than a theme park afterwards.
+Do I need to book Himeyuri Peace Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.