Tower of Yamagata, Memorial cenotaph in Itoman, Japan
The Tower of Yamagata is a stone memorial structure built above an underground shelter where medical personnel and students took refuge during wartime. The tower displays engraved names as a lasting tribute.
The memorial was built in 1965 to honor those who died during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. It connects the fate of medical workers and students to the broader wartime history of this region.
The names of 227 students and teachers are inscribed on the stone structure, making it a place where visitors can read and remember these individuals by name. This personal approach to remembrance helps connect people to those who died.
The memorial sits near the Himeyuri Peace Museum, where you can learn more background history of the events. Morning visits tend to be less crowded than afternoons.
This spot once held a hidden cave clinic where medical students provided emergency care during the fighting. Their story is often overlooked, yet it is central to understanding how the war unfolded in Okinawa.
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