KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Local students and community members visited historic sites across Kadena Air Base during Okinawa City’s annual historic site tour, Aug. 13, 2026, learning about the Battle of Okinawa and the importance of peace.

The tour, organized by the Okinawa City Hall Peace and Gender Equality Section, included the Peace Garden, former Japanese aircraft shelters and Hospital Cave.

The tour gives younger generations an opportunity to learn about the conflict through the sites where history unfolded.

“I want participants, especially the younger generation, to gain a deeper understanding of the Battle of Okinawa by visiting these historic sites on Kadena Air Base and seeing firsthand the places where history unfolded.” said Himuto Yabiku, Peace and Gender Equality Section, Citizens Department, Okinawa City Hall and tour organizer. “I want children to think about what they can do to achieve peace through thinking of the past.”

For Ako Higa, 3rd grade Yamauchi Elementary School student, the tour offered a firsthand look at Okinawa’s history.

“I was looking forward to seeing the historic and cultural sites on base and I am really impressed with the fact that such places remain under current good conditions on such a large base.” Higa continued, “The Peace Garden was the most impressive site!”

The Peace Garden commemorates the Sept. 7, 1945 surrender of Japanese forces in the Ryukyu Islands and was rededicated in 1997 as part of the U.S. Air Force’s 50th anniversary.

The annual tour provides Okinawa City residents with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the island’s wartime history, support the preservation of significant historic sites, and strengthen the enduring partnership between the local community and Kadena Air Base.

Kadena Air Base