D’ Japanese Tunnel in Davao (published article by Jojie Alcantara)

After World War II, the legend of the Yamashita treasure seduced many treasure hunters to Davao, particularly in Mintal, Tugbok District (now declared as the Japanese Heritage Site of the City), where hiding places for the war loots were supposedly buried deep underground within numerous foxholes and crisscrossing tunnels built by soldiers and prisoners of war.

While I have visited one other Japanese tunnel excavated in a private property, the only popular tunnel open to the public is D' Japanese Tunnel Family Resort and Restaurant along Hillcrest Subdivision, Diversion Road in Matina Balusong. Owned by the Lim family, the manmade hideout said to be built in 1942 and accidentally discovered during the national highway’s construction in the 60s has now expanded into a family hotel and restaurant with a swimming pool for kids.