Haebaru, Administrative town in Shimajiri District, Japan
Haebaru is a town in Shimajiri District on Okinawa that contains several cultural and historical facilities. The town museum and archives document the region's development and the lives of its residents across generations.
The town played an important role during the 1945 war, when underground bunkers were built that visitors can see today. These sites reveal how the conflict affected both the population and the island.
The town's museum displays exhibits about traditional Okinawan daily life and the emigration stories of local families. You can see reconstructed spaces in the Kiyan district that show how people lived during different periods.
It helps to start your visit at the museum to understand the region's background before exploring the historical sites. Finding your way around town becomes easier when you know which areas hold the main points of interest.
Young people from the local school receive training to lead visitors through historical sites and share knowledge about wartime locations. This practice connects education with remembrance and gives residents a role in preserving their town's past.
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