Historical Landmark Sugar Loaf Hill

[David]

While there are many battle sites around Okinawa, one seems to be the most forgotten, or unmentioned. That may be because people are too comfortable driving around it in the concrete jungle of Naha, or, have not learned this part of Okinawa's history yet.

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill (locally known as Kiramachiiji).

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On this site occurred some of the bitterest action in the Battle of Okinawa. The Japanese had fortified their defense on the northern hills of Asato. The Japanese soldiers called the outcrop suribachi, or "cone hill". The battle raged between elements of the Japanese 32nd Army and forces of the 6th Marine Division.

Beginning on May 12, [1945], the fighting at Sugar Loaf lasted for a week including one day with four charges on the peak. The Americans prevailed on May 18, with 2,662 casualties, and another 1,289 suffered battle fatigue. The Japanese forces, students and civilians, also suffered devastating casualties.

On May 27, the Command Post at Shuri was withdrawn to the southern end of the island. Although the battle for Okinawa was effectively over, the tragedy of the civilians caught in the southern battles was prolonged until the end of June.

Of the 20,195 American personnel who perished fighting in the Battle of Okinawa, 2,662 were lost taking Sugar Loaf Hill. This was a strategic point that Lieutenant General Buckner hoped would allow the U.S. to envelop Shuri and trap the main defending Japanese forces on Okinawa. That's surely something to sit and ponder about while you're on the crest of Sugar Loaf Hill.

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You would never know that driving by where this water tower, boasting 13,300m³ (3.5 million gallons) of potable drinking water, was once a battle that took place for 7 days with 11 attempts, before finally being captured by the Marines.

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There are two access points to the crest of what is now Sugar Loaf Hill: One is difficult for those with walking impairments or those with small children in need of strollers, while the other is a slight hill that wraps around the water tower to an observation deck.

You can go straight up these stairs directly across from T-Galleria.

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Or, you can turn down the side road shown above. Though, if you happen to be driving, it appears that there's no parking permitted in the area.

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However, you should be fine pulling tightly in here, as did I, without blocking the entrance of maintenance vehicles.

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Another option is that you could always park at Main Place and take a quick stroll on over to Sugar Loaf too.

Naha  San-A Naha Main Place

San-A Naha Main Place is a shopping mall, centrally located in the city of Naha and near the Omoromachi monorail station.

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If you choose the roadway up and cut left instead of going straight and around the boarded-up restrooms, you may find difficulties walking up and down the uneven stairways; it's advisable to just stay right if you find difficulties in walking or are with small children in strollers.

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Here's some more in-depth history on the battle for Sugar Loaf:

 

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