D' Japanese Tunnel Family Resort

Entrance to D' Japanese Tunnel Family Resort with two statues of Japanese soldiers

Along the Diversion Road in Davao City, there is a Japanese tunnel that dates back during the World War II. The tunnel was carved out of the hilly section of Matina Balusong, west of the city by Davao Prisoners of War in 1942. The tunnel was used by the Japanese as a hide-out, and as a means of transporting their equipment and mobilizing their forces against the American liberating army. It was accidentally discovered by the owners of the land while constructing a hotel. They were excavating the area when they uncovered damp passageways and rooms underneath the land, and soon discovered that those were tunnels used by the Japanese soldiers during the war.

The owners decided then to name the place D' Japanese Tunnel Family Resort, which is now a hotel, a restaurant, and has since become one of the major tourist attractions in Davao City.

Signage at the main entrance

Main Entrance

View of the Resort

Closer view of the Resort

The tunnel is about 300 meters deep, which ends at a blocked passageway, the other side of which is owned by a different owner. Inside the tunnel, visitors are met with several life-sized statues of Japanese soldiers, and Japanese women in traditional Kimono. One of the main attractions of the tunnel are what remained of the various vintage weaponry found during the discovery which are beautifully displayed inside the tunnel such as, machine guns, bombs, explosives, and several ammunition and bullets. Deeper into the tunnel are compartments of water bankers, and makeshift offices used by the Japanese soldiers, and a dungeon for the prisoners of war. There are several chapels as well, where replicas of a Golden Buddha and gold bars can be seen.  

Air conditioned rooms above the concrete inscription

The Tunnel

Several of these Japanese statues are found in different portions of the tunnel

Replica of a Japanese Golden Buddha

One of the chapels with a Golden Buddha

Japanese money during World War II

Outdoor Swimming Pool

The Resort is a three-storey hotel with a number of air-conditioned rooms suitable for families. It also has an outdoor swimming pool, and a restaurant that serves delectable Chinese, Filipino and Japanese dishes, including Western steaks. The menu offers a variety of these dishes that are reasonably priced. 

The Menu

There still remain quite a number of Japanese tunnels in Davao City, particularly in Ma-a and Mintal that are still intact today which used to run several kilometers and would crisscross and intersect at some points, but the inevitable rehabilitation of the city immediately after the war have destroyed much of these tunnels and were eventually lost in the pages of history. What remain of these tunnels became historical landmarks and a favorite destination of foreign and local tourists.

How to get to D' Japanese Tunnel Family Resort

Located near the end of the Diversion Road in Matina Balusong towards the junction of MacArthur Highway in Matina area, the Resort is easily accessible by public or private transportation,  and is only 20 minutes drive from downtown city proper.

Contact Information

D' Japanese Tunnel Family Resort

Hillcrest Subdivision 

Diversion Road, Matina Balusong, Davao City

8000 Philippines

Tels +6382 299 0975 | +6382 298 3705

Gumamela Caverock Farm Resort

Gumamela Cave Rock Farm Resort is a two-hectare mountain farm resort situated in a secluded, peaceful and tranquil farm in Purok 3, Barangay Matina Biao, Tugbok District, 21 kilometers away from Davao City. The land where the resort is situated is part of the Tolosa Family Estate which was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army during WWII. The resort is a recreation and tourism  graded establishment which is bounded by a creek with accretions along the riverbanks, natural and well-preserved rain forest, waterfalls, springs and natural vegetation. It features a well-preserved World War II Japanese-made caves and foxholes, including various paintings and Bagobo-inspired sculptures. The world's tallest concrete Gumamela Sculpture made by artist Rey Mudjahid "Kublai" Millan can be found in the Resort, and is also one of the main attractions. 

Signage of the Resort

Natural short waterfalls

Natural short waterfalls

One of the WW II Japanese-made caves and foxholes

Lush floras and faunas

Wide and clean pathways

Bagobo-inspired Sculptures are common sights in the Resort

The world's tallest concrete Gumamela Sculpture 

made by artist Rey Mudjahid "Kublai" Millan

The Resort offers facilities and amenities, such as a man-made and mud-painted Poolside Caverock (artificial caves and rocks) shower rooms and toilets, a spa-swimming pool, wedding and conference facilities, sports facilities such as billiard, table tennis, darts, mountain bikes etc., a restaurant and bar, traditional heritage cottages in modern-native design, various hybrid hibiscus (gumamela) plants of centennial series, millennium, and celebrity series from the University of the Philippine Institute of Plant Breeding and other ornamental plants.

It offers a wide range of nature-based activities like hiking, trekking, mountain bike tours, short waterfalls trekking, Japanese cave exploration and other outdoor activities.

Man-made and mud-painted Poolside Caverock shower room and toilet

Entrance to the Poolside Caverock

Spa-swimming pool

The Spa-swimming pool consists of 57,000 gallons of deep-well mineral rich water naturally heated by the pool's sandstone bed and walls. The sandstone generates a natural thermal conductivity that heats to the pool water which has been proven beneficial to health. The nature's three most powerful relieving agents: heat, water and air, invigorates and gently massages the body while easing away body aches and pains.

Pavilion for seminars and conferences

Billiard Hall

Lola Atang's Restaurant

Inside the restaurant which is also a bar

The breeze in the farm resort is particularly refreshing. The resort has six traditional heritage cottages in modern native design, and two bamboo cottages in between fruit trees, with private verandas . The cottages are well crafted with different ceiling and bathroom designs made by local artisans in varying colors and with modern furniture and fixtures.The bathrooms are well-appointed with varied walls and floor designs, and a LED shower system with multi-directional nozzles.

Cellphone signal repeaters and boosters are available at the resort with mobile broadband signals.

Bamboo Cottage

Pool View Cottage I (Family Room)

Inside the Family Room with three beds

Toilet and Bathroom

Traditional heritage cottage

Pathway to the cottages

How to get to Gumamela Caverock Farm Resort

Gumamela Caverock Farm Resort is only 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Davao City, and is easily accessible by private and public vehicles. Public Utility Vehicles and motorcycle rides going to the resort are available at Mintal Public Market Terminal across the Network Bank.

Map to Gumamela Caverock  Farm Resort

Contact Information

Gumamela Caverock  Farm Resort

Purok 3 Tolosa, Barangay Matina Biao, Tugbok, Davao City

Tels  (082) 284-1165 and (082) 271-7837

Mobile 09296225494

Emails gumamelacaverockfarmresort@yahoo.com

drcarloscapitan@gmail.com

Website www.gumamelacaverockresort.net 

Gap Farming and Orchard Resort

GAP Farming Orchard Resort or simply GAP Farm is definitely my top favorite weekend outing destination for my family. I can no longer recall the countless times my family and I went to this beautiful resort where several fond, unforgettable memories transpired. The last time my family and I were here was in 2006, with a good friend and neighbor, Tom Hilado, of Manila where I presently reside. It goes without saying that, when my family and I set our feet again in Davao City, we will definitely find ourselves back to the grounds of GAP Farm.

The first time I set foot to the Resort was in 1999 through my insurance client who later became my close friend, Allan Gabucan who at that time lived in Ma-a where the Resort is located. The Resort is a good five-minute walk from the Gabucan residence. Presently, Allan, his wife, Arlene Gabucan and their children had relocated and taken residence to another side of the town.

GAP Farming Orchard Resort is a ten-hectare mountain resort and orchard of various fruit bearing trees such as, pomelo, rambutan, and sweet tamarind among many others. It is located in the hilly part of Green Valley, Diversion Road, Ma-a, Davao City. The Resort has an Olympic-size swimming pool, an old World War II Japanese carved tunnel, a chapel dedicated to the Santo Nino and the Mother of Perpetual Help, horseback riding facilities, convention hall, mythical statues scattered in various spots within the vicinity, cottages and picnic areas, and a campsite as well. The lush greenery and the abundant varieties of trees, tropical fruits, exotic flowers, plants, and colorful rich floras and faunas are indeed a sight to behold. GAP Farm is a popular tourist destination and a favorite family outing spot for locals, and is frequented by students during field trips. Fast Wi-Fi connection is available in the Resort.

Welcoming visitors to GAP Farm

(Note the two women underneath the statue?)

Upon entering Gap Farm, a huge concrete statue of a farmer riding on a carabao warmly welcomes its visitors. One of the main attractions in Gap Farm is the huge marble imprint of the phrase "Land of Promise" set on its vast lawn, which is easily visible while on-board an airplane. Historical statues, a parade of sculptured animals, a row of Philippine president busts, different tribes of Mindanao are among the many others attractions visitors will find within the Resort. 

Inscription upon entering GAP Farm

showing the year 1973 GAP Farm was established

Inscription at the foot of the Carabao Statue

View of the Carabao Statue from higher ground

Orchard of Pomelos

Life-size statues representing the different peoples of the Philippines

An inscription on Indigenous Tribes of the Philippines

Life-size statues representing the different tribes of Mindanao

Life-size statues representing the Tasaday Tribe of Luzon

Inscription showing the different tribes of Region II in Luzon

A parade of different busts of Philippine Heroes

Busts of Philippine Heroes

A parade of Philippine animals

A parade of popular mystical folklore creatures

Conferencia ng mga Multo sa GAP Farming is a recent addition in the statue collection of the Resort that showcases popular mystical folklore creatures in the Philippines. Visitors are shown of different statues of popular Philippine ghosts and monsters like the white lady, "tikbalang" (half man-half horse), and "kapre" (smoking giant), among others.

The "Manananggal"

A half bodied creature of the night that thrives on human liver

Embedded to the ground is a large statue of "Juan Tamad"

Juan Tamad is a popular Filipino folklore that depicts the consequences of laziness. Juan Tamad would await all day for a fruit to drop to the ground, instead of climbing up the tree to get it.

Statues of Carabaos

A reminder inscription

Concrete benches can be found all over GAP Farm

More concrete benches

GAP Farm Restaurant

Can also be used as a function hall

This is a big Olympic size swimming pool

Farther view of the pool

How to get to GAP Farming Orchard Resort 

GAP Farm is located in the hilly part of Green Valley, Diversion Road, Ma-a, Davao City, and is about 15 minute drive from downtown Davao City.