Yokosuka's "Ocean Boulevard"

National Highway 16 runs through the heart of Yokosuka's downtown naval port area. 

It is one of the City's life-lines, and is always busy with a rush of cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, traffic heading to & from Yokohama, Kawasaki, Tokyo, and other places north of the Miura Peninsula.

At an intersection just a few minutes south of Yokosuka Navy base, a remarkable 4-lane road branches off to run along Tokyo Bay.

It is wider than older Japanese streets, and is picturesque, lined with palm trees ... almost has a California or Florida feel to it.

Called "Yokosuka Kaigan Dori" (Yokosuka Seashore Boulevard)  横須賀海岸道り .... it is lined with pedestrian & bicycle-friendly sidewalks, and is host to several big-box stores (AVE, LIVIN, HOMES, NOJIMA, etc. -- all with lots of parking), as well as some large & mysterious "art objects" .... and more to follow on that in future blog entries...

         

The Navy Monument

Previously, in this blog, I have described, one by one, five of the six monuments/memorials which stand along the eastern edge of Yokosuka's Verny Park.

The sixth & last one, located closest to the ocean/harbor, is simply named: the "Navy Monument" ( 海軍の碑 ), and it commemorates the transformation of Yokosuka from a small fishing village into Japan's most important naval base.

The monument was erected in 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the end of "The Pacific War" (others call it World War II), and construction costs were paid by voluntary donations from various groups and individuals who wanted to honor the memory of the Japan Imperial Navy.

The monument is also dedicated to those who lost their lives in the war, and expresses hope for peace in the future.

There is a bench where one can sit and ponder.

     

"Sunburst" flag is actually the Navy Ensign 

Japan's dream of isolation was destroyed
by the countries of the West

Details of Yokosuka Imperial Navy complex