Haebaru, Okinawa

Haebaru, Okinawa 南風原町
—  Town  —
Location of Haebaru, Okinawa in Okinawa
Haebaru, Okinawa
Coordinates: 26°11′28″N 127°43′43″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Okinawa
District	Shimajiri
Area
• Total	10.72 km2 (4.14 sq mi)
Population (March 1, 2008)
• Total	34,586
• Density	3,226.31/km2 (8,356.1/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Ebony
- Flower	Bougainvillea
Phone number	098-889-4415
Address	686 Aza Kanegusuku, Haebaru-chō, Shimajiri-gun 901-1195
Website	Haebaru official website in Japanese

Haebaru (南風原町, Haebaru-chō, Okinawan: Feebaru) is a town located in Shimajiri District, Okinawa, Japan.

As of 2005, the town has an estimated population of 34,020 and a density of 3174 persons per km². The total area is 10.72 km². It is one of the only landlocked towns in Okinawa, but its central location ensures traffic and business remain healthy.

Haebaru is home to several pachinko parlors, as well as a skate and BMX ramp under the Okinawa expressway. There is a large ÆON shopping complex and hypermarket.

Haebaru is the birth place of Ultraman, a fictional television character that grows to a giant size and wrestles with giant monsters. The town is also home to a traditional Ryukyuan craft producing woven fabric or kasuri. It is produced at workshops in Haebaru.

In June 2007 dugout bunkers used as military hospitals during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa were opened to the public for tours. In spring 2011, local junior high students began training as peace tour guides in a work experience program aiming to guide members of the public around the caves. The town museum and cultural center also has a reproduction of an army hospital and various remnants and artifacts from the war.