Visiting

Q.How long does the tour take to complete?

A.Most visitors spend between 30 minutes to one hour on the tour, but some spend two to three hours. Please arrive with plenty of time to spare if you want to view the exhibition contents at your leisure.

Q.Is the museum closed on any days?

A.There are no holidays at the museum. The museum is also open over the New Year holidays. However, we may close temporarily if there is inclement weather, such as heavy typhoons.

Q.Does the museum have a parking lot?

A.It does not have its own parking lot. Please use the parking lots of nearby souvenir stores. Please contact each store in advance when arriving by coach.。

Q.Can the museum be reached by bus?

A.Yes, you can reach the museum by bus. The “Himeyuri no To Mae” bus stop is right in front of the museum. If you are coming from outside the city, you need to change buses in Itoman City.

Q.Do I need to make a reservation?

A.If you are coming with a group of 10 or more people, you must make an advance reservation. Reservations are not required for visitors with fewer than 10 people in their group, but it may take some time to enter the museum during busy periods such as school trip season. Thank you for your understanding.

Q.Do you accept credit cards for payment?

A.Various credit cards are accepted. Cash (Japanese yen), credit cards, and various types of electronic money (contactless IC cards) can be used to pay the admission fees. US dollars, QR codes and bar code payments are not accepted.

Q.Can I take photos in the exhibition rooms?

A.Unauthorized photography is prohibited to protect the materials and the viewing environment and prevent other visitors from being disturbed. If you would like to view details of the exhibits at home, please use the guidebook.
Photography is allowed in areas other than the exhibition rooms (lobby, courtyard and in the grounds of Himeyuri Memorial Tower). Please be considerate of other visitors when taking photos.

Q.Can you give me a personal tour of the exhibition?

A.We do not offer guided tours of the exhibition. We are also currently suspending providing explanations in the exhibition rooms.

Q.Are coin lockers available?

A.There are no coin lockers available. Large luggage can be checked in at the reception counter.

Q.Are there wheelchair-accessible tours?

A.Yes, these are available. Three wheelchairs (assisted) are available for rent.

Q.Can I drink inside the museum?

A.Eating and drinking are not permitted in the exhibition rooms to avoid affecting the exhibits. Please only have a drink once you are in the lobby or courtyard.

Q.Are there nearby places to eat?

A.There are several restaurants and cafeterias nearby for lunch. Please check with them for their business hours.

Group tours and group programs

Q.Do I need to make a reservation for a tour?

A.If you are coming with a group of 10 or more people, you must make an advance reservation. Admission is restricted to prevent any danger from overcrowding in the exhibition rooms.

Q.Are there any group programs in English?

A.You can watch the “Himeyuri” animated video (30 minutes) with English subtitles in the multipurpose hall. Groups of 20 people or more are eligible for this program. Please be sure to make an advance reservation if you want to watch the animated video.

Q.How much does it cost to watch the “Himeyuri” animated video?

A.“Himeyuri” is shown free of charge. However, starting in April 2024, a fee will be required to use the multipurpose hall (3,300 yen per session).

Q.Can I hear stories from war survivors?

A.Lectures on war experiences by former Himeyuri students ended in March 2015. Testimonies by former Himeyuri students are shown in the permanent exhibition room (with English subtitles). These are images left by survivors who wanted to share their war experiences with visitors, even though they can no longer speak to them directly. We invite you to watch the video testimonials in the exhibition room.

Q.What is the capacity of the multipurpose hall?

A.Up to 200 people.

Q.Are there any online programs in English?

A.No. The online peace program is only available in Japanese.。

Himeyuri

Q.What is the Himeyuri Cenotaph?

A.The Himeyuri Cenotaph commemorates the students and teachers from the Okinawa Female Normal School and the Okinawa Prefectural Girls’ First High School, who perished during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

Q.Which structure is the Himeyuri Cenotaph?

A.The Himeyuri Cenotaph is the white box-shaped cenotaph with a lily relief sculpture. The approximately 100 cm-high stone monument inside the fence is the first Himeyuri Cenotaph that was erected. It remained after the current Himeyuri Cenotaph was erected in 1957.

Q.How many names are inscribed on the Himeyuri Cenotaph ?

A.The Himeyuri Cenotaph bears the names of 227 people. 136 are the names of students and teachers who were mobilized as part of the Himeyuri Student Corps, plus 91 other students and teachers.

Q.How many people were in the Himeyuri Student Corps?

A.A total of 240 students and teachers. Of those, 136 died in the Battle of Okinawa.

Q.Where were the schools in Himeyuri?

A.They were located in Asato, Naha City. The schools were closed during the Battle of Okinawa and no longer exist. The schools’ former site is now the Sakaemachi Arcade (the area from the east of Asato Station to Daido Elementary School).