A moment in Japan that I'll never forget

I had the most unsettling feeling today as I stood in what used to be the mountain cave headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Navy before we invaded them in WWII. I can't say where these caves are since they are not open to the public, but you could see the pick ax marks that the POWs left as the Japanese forced them to cut into the mountain. It felt like every mark on the wall was a scar on the soul of the man who made it. The people were long gone, but their pain remained in those caves; all 30 miles of it. There was a conference room close to the cave entrance with a huge wall sized map that the Japanese commanders used to plan attacks on allied forces in WWII. Up to this point I was overwhelmed and in awe of what lied before me until the tour guide said "We believe this is the room where the attack on Pearl Harbor was planned". All of the sudden I found myself feeling sad, upset, just a whole bunch of different things. It was a pretty emotional moment for me. I really wish more military folk could experience this. These caves do not even exist according to the Japanese. All records of their existence were destroyed before the war crime trials and many old Japanese do not speak of them because they are still ashamed of our unfortunate history together. I'll never forget this experience for as long as I live.

Here are some pictures. I forgot my camera but I took some pretty decent ones on my phone.
Japanese WWII Caves

I really doubt that the caves were where the Pearl Harbor attack was planned. It wasn't until we began bombing Tokyo that the HQ was moved underground.

Click to expand...

Again, there is no "Official" documentation on this. The history of these caves is only known from personal accounts, and extensive research from our naval community. It may or may not be where the attacks were planned. The caves themselves do not have periodic tours since they are located within an operational building and yours are really only by appointment if you know the right people. There are many people on base and even in the military who are totally unaware of their existence. They are not necessarily off limits to civilians with the exception of the conference room which located in a restricted space that can only be accessed by those with a security clearance. The Japanese have even denied access and the filming of documentaries by the Discovery Channel and the History Channel on numerous occasions in the past.

@ kcghost - I welcome your challenge

The raid you're referring to (the "Doolittle Raid") took place in April 1942 following the Pearl Harbor attack. Then the HQ for the Japanese Govt was located in Tokyo, as well as the Imperial General Headquarters which is the Japanese equivalent of our Joint Chiefs of Staff. So you’re not totally wrong.
Ok now hold on to your seats gents… you’re in for a hell of a ride!!
Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, Japan's greatest military strategist and the alleged mastermind behind the Pearl Harbor attacks was promoted to the rank of Admiral in November of 1940 and assigned to duties as Commander, Yokosuka Naval Base from 1940 to late 1942. Where are the caves located you ask? Yokosuka Naval Base! I figured I'd just disclose that since I did some research and apparently they're not a big secret to us. There IS very limited info on them though. Construction of the caves began in 1938 and was finished well before 1940. I don’t know about you, but if that’s not a coincidence then I don’t know what is! Here's where it gets REALLY crazy... based on what I've put together from my own research, Yokosuka Naval Base was the where the HQ was located for the Imperial Japanese Navy's 1st Air Fleet which was formed in April of 1941 (pretty close to game time). The unit consisted of ALL 7 of Japans Aircraft Carriers, 474 aircraft and based out of where!? Yokosuka Air Base! That’s the SAME Japanese force that was tasked with the attack on Pearl Harbor! And I literally JUST convinced myself that I stood in the SAME room where it all came together…..and now I’m mad again. It is a very humbling military/ historical experience though, considering I’ve also been to Pearl Harbor. Now, I’m off to go have a smoke in the honor of your fathers, grandfathers, and all of those who gave their lives to protect mine. This is exactly what I live for and exactly why I chose to turn down a free ride to college; to be a part of history.

What about fellow military from other countries, Jeremy?

Click to expand...

@ Junkyarddawg- Foreign allied military are allowed on base and I'm sure in the caves. Civilians can come on base if they're accompanied by someone in the miltary. However, like I said theres not really a formal tour "schedule". The officer that runs the "tour" does it strictly out of his own time and desire for it's historical preservation. I'm currently working on trying to schedule a few more tours with him for my Marines. I think its something EVERYONE should experience.

Found a link that gives a bit of a background about the caves tours.
Yokosuka Naval Base Caves