Shimuku Gama Cave

This cave is so awesome!! I came with my toddler but can’t wait to bring the rest of the family back here! Parking is tricky as it’s in a residential area, but I parked on the side of the road across from the trail head. The trail was peaceful and the cave is amazing. There’s a nice path through the main cavern. We stopped at the end of the first cavern but I’ll head in further with the rest of the fam. I can’t wait!!
Make sure to have sturdy shoes that can get wet, plenty of light and a good camera. For more info on the cave and its story check Okinawa Hai.

A hidden beautiful cave with historic background. As mentioned in the other reviews, must park in residential area (small narrow roads to get there btw), then follow the path to the cave. Lots of beware of snake signs however youll be fine if you stay on path. Cave have water following out of it for a really great scene. Can venture deeper into cave but need some kind of lighting.

It was definitely not easy to find (especially in the rain!) but we loved visiting Happy Cave! The easiest way to find the entrance is to approach from the Northeast, heading up the road. There will be a clearing and some signage off to the left, and a trail that leads down to the cave entrance. There are multiple caves that are connected, but you can't get very far without a strong light. Make sure to wear shoes you don't mind getting wet and that have good traction, as portions of the floor can be slippery.

Beautiful cave with an amazing story of how thousands of lives were saved during the war. Also known as Happy Cave because of taxi drivers who spoke English were able to translate and tell the inhabitants of the cave they would be safe when they surrendered. Please remember to be respectful when visiting here.

We really were not 100% ready for this trip, coming to figure out this cave was super deep, however we managed to explore many chambers with what we had, iPhone lights a pack with water and a change of socks and shoes, gloves, recommended a light that fastens to your head, if a camera then a water bag in a small bag, clothing that covers arms and legs possibly swimming type gear. Other than this the experience was super cool.

My wife and I went to this cave and we had a nice time. You need a flashlight or you won't be able to make it too far in the cave, it gets very dark. But with the right lightning and the right shoes you can make it as deep inside as it goes and have a great time.
Make sure to watch your head at all times.

Massive cave system extending about a mile and a half, or 2500 meters, the river flows through it all the way to the end. Bring a high power flashlight and extra batteries, it is extremely dark. There are lots of low spots, be prepared to crouch and or crawl on your belly and if you plan on making it to the end you are guranteed to get wet. At what looks like the very end of the cave there is a rope ladder that extends about 10 feet up and continues on in a very narrow tunnel that will require you to crawl and twist your way to the end

A cave in a beautiful secluded area that has a powerful wartime backstory; remember to pay your respects at the memorial by the entrance.

Very large cave system that stretches more than 2 km. Recommend bringing plenty of light shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

As with many caves in Okinawa, they tend to fall in two different categories, Sacred land mark, or War memorial. Please remember that when you visit sites like these, go there with a respect for the location and for those whom you might see along the path. Shimuku Gama cave was the locations where many Yomitan residents hid during the war in fear for there lives. Please pay the respect it deserves.

A quiet place to reflect upon oneself.

Bring flashlights and be prepared to get muddy. It's the kind of cave you have to crawl through tight spaces to explore.

This place was in my backyard. It is a deep cave.

It was spooky

2023.09.09
波平地区にあるガマで集落の外れに緑に囲まれた場所だ。小さな水の流れが琉球石灰岩の洞窟の中へ流れれ込んでいる。真っ暗な空間は奥へ奥へと繋がっているようだ。
アメリカ軍の上陸に際し、1000人もの住人がこの漆黒の空間に逃げ込んだそうだ。上陸当日にここまで達したアメリカ軍が投降を呼びかけた際に、ハワイ帰りの住人二人が交渉し避難民全員が助かった。
情報に基づいた正しい決断をして、人々を説得する。立派な方々がいらしたものだ。今の政治家にも是非とも訪れて頂きたい場所である。
なお観光地ではないので、案内板はほぼないし、道も整備はされていない。游び心で行く場所ではない。

Diese Höhle ist ein absoluter Geheimtipp! Wer länger in Okinawa verweilt, sollte sich diese interessante Höhle anschauen. Aber auf keinen Fall eine Taschenlampe vergessen. Es ist extrem dunkel in der Höhle. Die Handy-Taschenlampe ist zu schwach.

英語が話せたハワイ帰りの比嘉さんが米兵の投降呼びかけに対応、パニックになっていた住民を説得したことで避難していた1000人の命が救われたそうです。

シムクガマへの場所が分からなかったのですが、
要所２ヵ所で犬の散歩と、個人の散歩に出られた方がいらして、
道を尋ねて到着。この２人に出会えていなければ…
ご縁を感じました。
シムクガマへの道に小さく、案内板が出ています。
ココ、草刈りをしていないこともあるそうなのですが、
綺麗に草を刈っており、ハブさんの出現に対応できまする。
ガマまでそこそこ距離がありまして、
ツルッツルの道を下って行きました。

沖縄旅行の中で一番訪れて良かったと思える場所でした。
綺麗な沖縄があるなかでこの様な場所に来ることに意味があると面白います。
この暗い洞窟の中で恐怖に怯えながら数百人が生活のことを思うと胸が痛くなります。
中に一本の蓮が咲いていました。
ガマのことはネットで調べて知っていましたが実際に訪れることで肌で感じて学ぶことが出来ました。

数々の沖縄戦の悲劇の中で英語に精通されていたハワイ帰りのお二人の活躍により1000人の人々の尊い命が救われたガマで救命洞窟の碑があります。ガマ内立ち入れますが真っ暗なので強力な懐中電灯が必要です。また駐車場、トイレもなくガマまでの道は足場も悪いのでシューズ、ヘルメット、軍手なと対策が必要です。沖縄戦の史跡です心静かに平和への願いを胸に訪れて下さい。