Family trip to Saipan
- Tony Boccia
- Feb 18
- 3 min read
Seems crazy how time flies, but last month we took a family trip to Saipan to ring in the new year and take the edge off our upcoming PCS. We had an absolute blast and we can't wait to go back! Here is the Pacific History guide page on Saipan.
This is the entrance to Katori Shrine. Saipan was part of Japanese-mandated Micronesia from 1914 until the end of the Second World War. Some 60,000 Japanese people lived on the island in 1944.
This statue of Matsui Haruji, the ‘Sugar King’ is not quite life-size but seems appropriate for a larger-than-life figure. Responsible for the development of agriculture, mainly sugarcane, on Saipan from the 1921 onward. He is titanic figure in the history of Japanese history in the south seas and Sugar King Park is a central feature of the island.
This is part of the old Japanese jail complex south of Garapan. This area is surprisingly big, and the buildings are well maintained considering their age.
The Korean Memorial is one of three war monuments at the foot of Suicide Cliff. Thousands of Koreans were induced to emigrate during the period that Japan controlled Korea and Manchuria, and many came here to Saipan as farmers. During the Second World War, Koreans across the Japanese Empire were brutalized and forced to serve as laborers and prostitutes. Korean civilians died alongside Okinawans and Japanese here in 1944; this site is just one of the many reminders of the madness of war.
Between the Okinawan and Japanese memorials at the foot of suicide cliff is the last Japanese command post on Saipan. This was the final stop for Lt. Gen. Saito, who commanded the Imperial Japanese Army forces on Saipan, and Vice Adm. Nagumo, nominally in charge of all Imperial Japanese Naval forces. From this point was given the order to charge at the enemy, (the infamous "banzai charge").
The Japanese Memorial is the final of the three national monuments as you head north from Garapan. The last command post is situated just south of here, with the Okinawan and Korean memorials beyond. While this isn't the most intricate or elaborate Japanese monument you'll find, it does speak to the simplicity of the Japanese lives that ended not far from here, on the cliffs behind or at the cliffs beyond at the northern edge of the island. Thousands of innocent Japanese men and women died on Saipan, many from their own hand. The Japanese Emperor and Empress visited here and you can read their poems; they're quite moving. Like most Japanese war memorials, the feeling of sadness lies heavy here.
This view of Banzai cliff allows you to see some of the memorials to the left. Many war sites I've visited lose their shock value and can only serve to sadden; this isn't the case here. I felt as if I was watching the women and children fall to their deaths while standing and listening to the ocean. One of the more chilling sites I've visited, more so than the caves on Iwo Jima. Everybody should visit this place.
A view south from Mt. Tapohao, the highest point on Saipan. To the right (west) is Invasion Beach, where three divisions came ashore on 15 June 1944. To the left (east) is Aslito Airfield, now Saipan International, a key strategic objective of the American forces. Tinian is visible in the distance.
A captured Japanese tank on Saipan, where the northern flank of the American advance the night of 17 June 1944 was attacked between invasion beach and Garapan. A battle took place here in which the Japanese lost 31 tanks.
If you're fortunate enough to find yourself in the Marianas, consider going to Saipan for a day or two. We traveled the entire island in three days, and had a great time doing it. Incredibly nice people, beautiful weather, and impeccably maintained historical sites make this a can't-miss! Again, Here is the Pacific History guide page on Saipan. My hope is that you all will use this for your own family trip to Saipan.
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