Itoman (糸満市) is in Okinawa, Japan.

Understand

Throughout its history, the city has been an invaluable port city in Okinawa with a thriving fishing industry. Even today, many of the city's biggest festivals revolve around fishing. The city's trajectory and notability completely changed in 1941 when it became one of the bloodiest battlefields in American invasion of Okinawa. Thousands of Japanese, Americans, and native Okinawans died here. The city now contains multiple sites dedicated to World War II, the Battle of Okinawa and its affects on the island and the people, and peace. The museums here are considered must-visit sites by many visitors to Okinawa.

See

• 1 Himeyuri Peace Museum (ひめゆり平和祈念資料館, himeyuri heiwa kinen shiryōkan), 671-1 Aza-Ihara, Itoman, ☏ +81 98-997-2101. 9:00-17:00. Students from two girls' schools, together called Himeyuri, were mobilized to work as field nurses during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. This memorial museum documents, from a personal perspective, their lives before and during the battle, in which many of them died. Exhibits are labeled in English. The museum gives voice to the victims and provides real stories and faces that help give the victims some humanity as opposed to being statistics. ¥300 for adults. 

• 2 Gushikawa Castle Ruins (具志川城跡). Quiet ruins near Cape Kyan. It is unknown who built the castle, but excavation results indicate it was used from the end of the 12th century to the mid-15th century. Free. (updated Mar 2016)

• 3 Konpaku-no-To (魂魄之塔). (updated Mar 2016)

Peace Park

Okinawa Peace Park (平和祈念公園, heiwa kinen kōen) has several memorials relating to the Battle of Okinawa. To get there by bus, take bus no. 89 from Naha bus terminal, change to bus no. 82 at Itoman bus terminal, and get off at the Heiwa-kinendo-iriguchi stop.

• 4 Peace Park. This park has a beautiful view overlooking the ocean, and features several open-air memorials including the Cornerstone of Peace, wave-like walls of granite on which are engraved the names of those who died in the battle on the front as well as the back. It is a very interesting park. 

• 5 Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum (沖縄県立平和祈念資料館, okinawa kenritsu heiwa kinen shiryōkan), 614-1 Mabuni, ☏ +81 98-997-3844. Tuesday-Sunday 9:00-17:00, closed Dec. 29-Jan. 3. Museum describes the Battle of Okinawa. ¥300 for adults. 

• 6 Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall (平和祈念堂 heiwa kinendō), 448-2 Mabuni Itoman, ☏ +81 98-997-3011. A separate memorial, marked by a high tower, with the Peace Memorial Statue and exhibitions of Japanese artists. ¥500 for adults. 

Do

• 1 Ryukyu Glass Village. Here you can try making your own Ryukyu Glass items, such as dishes, vases, and jewelry along with other things like candles. Reservations are required in order to participate. (updated Mar 2016)

Events

• Peaceful Illumination. Mid-Dec to early Jan. An annual illumination event that always has a peace-related theme. (updated Mar 2016)