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Historic site · Rabaul, East New Britain
Admiral Yamamoto's Bunker
A World War II concrete shelter in Rabaul used by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, with command rooms and regional maps on the walls, located opposite the former New Guinea Club.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Admiral Yamamoto's Bunker
Admiral Yamamoto’s bunker is a semi-buried concrete shelter in central Rabaul, opposite the former New Guinea Club, which the Japanese used as an office during the war. The shelter was built on the site of the club’s former tennis courts.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet and responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor, passed through Rabaul in 1943. On April 18 of that year he took off from Rabaul for an inspection and was shot down by American aircraft over southern Bougainville.
Inside the bunker, the command rooms hold maps of the region used to plan operations. Outside, there is an antiaircraft gun from the period. Around it, the area covered in ash from the 1994 eruption shows how the town was affected.
The New Guinea Club next door houses a small museum on Rabaul’s colonial history.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to 1 hour, including the museum next door.
Best time
In the morning, at the start of the Rabaul tour.
How to get there
It’s in central Rabaul, opposite the former New Guinea Club. Rabaul tours from Kokopo usually include the stop.
Tip
Bring a flashlight to see the maps better in the interior rooms and arrange with your guide to visit the New Guinea Club museum.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Admiral Yamamoto's Bunker
Who was Admiral Yamamoto?
Isoroku Yamamoto commanded the Japanese Combined Fleet and planned the attack on Pearl Harbor. He took off from Rabaul on April 18, 1943, and was shot down over southern Bougainville.
What is inside Yamamoto’s bunker?
Concrete command rooms with maps of the region used in planning operations. Outside there is an antiaircraft gun.
Where is Yamamoto’s bunker?
In central Rabaul, opposite the former New Guinea Club, which also houses a small museum.