Saipan Pictures: hiking

Obyan (pronounced long O, long B, John) is another large beach that is a favorite for snorkelers, skin divers, swimmers, or beachcombers. As you enter the beach you will find a couple large Japanese WW II gun bunkers. Between the bunkers and just off the beach is an ancient Chamorro village site. Here you will find several latte stones. It is believed that they built their houses on top of these stones. You can walk further inland from the old house site and find a couple interesting small caves. A large paved parking lot with a security guard was recently added. The Obyan area also has nice hiking trails. A couple trails navigates up the cliff to Naftan Peninsula.

Another trail led me to this small hole in the ground.

It was a Japanese WWII exit tunnel which originates from this oceanside cave...

...on this beautiful remote beach.

More trails lead to other small beaches, WWII building foundations, and spectacular views.

Latte Stones from 1,000 years ago.

Large Japanese gun bunker.

Other side of the Japanese gun bunker.

Cave.

Picture of Obyan taken from Naftan Peninsula.

Obyan Beach with Naftan Peninsula in the background.

Bird.

Scuba divers.

Looking off the 100' high cliff line to Obyan Bay.

WWII artifacts found in the jungle and caves of Obyan.

Canteen cup.

Helmet.

Obyan Beach with the airport in the background.

.

.

Inside the bunker.

To the North of Saipan, across from the road heading to Banzai Cliff, is a half cave, half bunker where the last Japanese commanding officer in Saipan led his battle. You can climb the stairs recently added to go inside the Last Command Post or hike on the paved trail which leads around to the rear of the bunker. A large hole enters one side of the bunker and exits the other. This was caused by a direct hit from a round fired by a U.S. battleship off shore. If you line up those holes you see where the battleship fired from. There are some large Japanese guns artificially positioned around the Last Command Post. On the back side of the bunker are the high rock cliffs which is the base of Suicide Cliff. You can see the discolored holes in the side of the cliffs where rounds fired from battleships blew large pieces off the rock. The park-like grounds are beautiful with many Japanese and Korean peace memorials. My family and I often have our Sunday picnic there.