Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

Name: Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
Address: 1258番地 Tomari, Nakagusuku, Nakagami District, Okinawa 901-2402, Japan
Rating: 4.4

4.4 (200)・Historical Place・Tourist Attraction・Historical Landmark・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, located on the island of Okinawa, offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's rich history and architectural ingenuity. These impressive ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are among the best-preserved examples of Ryukyu kingdom castles, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the ancient defensive structures that have stood the test of time.

Perched strategically atop a series of limestone ridges, Nakagusuku Castle Ruins boast panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Pacific Ocean, illustrating why this location was chosen for defense purposes. The castle's walls, constructed with precisely fitted stones, showcase the advanced masonry skills of Ryukyu builders, who crafted this fortress without the use of mortar.

As you walk through the sprawling complex, you can visit the remains of several courtyards, administrative halls, and residential areas, each telling stories of the castle's past. The meticulous layout and surviving structures reflect the sophisticated social structure and cultural achievements of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

Adults: 400 yen

High school students: 300 yen

Children (Elementary): 200 yen

Hours

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone

+81 98-935-5719

Website

www.nakagusuku-jo.jp

The area

Address

1258番地 Tomari, Nakagusuku, Nakagami District, Okinawa 901-2402, Japan

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What other travelers are saying about Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

Ruins of a castle of the Ryukyu kingdom worth a visit. The castle grounds are large and are located on the top of a hill. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of both sides of the main island of Okinawa, looking out over the East China Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other side.

Joan Nicolau Antolin

Dec 12, 2024

All the ruins in the main islands are worth visiting. I visited 3 I think or 4? You definitely have to visit them all if you have the time. Be sure to walk to all the places allowed. Nice walk overall. The coffee stand just outside is marvelous. Please try. Okinawa is such a nice place with nice food and nice hospitality natives.. I love the place so much. I will definitely come back.

Julin Likasiri

Sep 9, 2024

Came here at around 4:30pm because it was too hot during the day. The place was stunning under near sunset light. Not too far from Naha city centre (~35min car ride). The castle was built in the 15th century and is nicely preserved as a unesco world heritage site. The ruins and the view were amazing. Can take a golf cart to the main entrance instead of hiking up. The whole walk took around 30 minutes. Very worth visiting and highly recommend!

Karen Ho

Oct 31, 2024

The entrance fee is only 400 yen but I didn't feel like this world heritage is very impressive but you can still get a good view of Okinawa with the Pacific Ocean.

AMY MUNNS

Nov 23, 2024

Well managed. You can park your car at 🅿️ parking area and buy tickets at the entrance. The shuttle will take you up to the hill and drop you to walk around the castle ruins just follow the arrows. We spend an hour here :)