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Katsuren Castle Ruins

4.4 (200)Historical LandmarkTourist AttractionHistorical PlacePoint Of InterestEstablishment

Katsuren Castle Ruins, perched atop a steep hill on the eastern coast of Okinawa, are steeped in history and legend. Known as the "Castle in the Sea," these ruins offer a glimpse into the Ryukyu Kingdom's past and breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Pacific Ocean and Uruma City.

The castle, which dates back to the 14th century, was once the residence of the famous Lord Amawari, a figure shrouded in intrigue and folklore. Amawari was known both for his political cunning and the dramatic rise and fall of his power within the kingdom. Exploring the ruins, visitors can walk among the massive limestone walls and foundations that have withstood centuries of history, imagining the once-thriving castle bustling with Ryukyuan warriors and aristocrats.

Katsuren Castle is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its architectural uniqueness. The site’s design showcases the strategic military thinking of the time, with walls and placements expertly calculated to use the natural landscape for defence.

Hours:

24/7

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

Free


Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Phone
+81 98-978-2033
Website
www.katsuren-jo.jp

The area

Address
3807-2 Katsurenhaebaru, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2311, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Katsuren Castle Ruins

I've visited a few of the castles around Okinawa and this is one of my favorites. It's a little walk up to it but worth it. It's small and won't take too long to explore so it's good if you plan on seeing a couple of other place in a day. And parking was pretty convenient also. Oh and go see the museum too!
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David Bush
Dec 5, 2024
If youre new to the island and want to explore, id say try this as your first castle/ruin to visit the tickets are 600 yen which include the entrance to the ruins and access to the exhibit at the visitor center which has relics dug up from the ruins and has a scaled down version of the whole ruins. Shows alot of history and indepth into the culture of why the castle was there. The walk up to the ruins is short but some areas are steep but they do have stairs. They also have a cart service to help those that cant walk well shuttle up and down the steep parts of the hills.
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James C
Nov 11, 2024
If you want to explore all the castle ruins in Okinawa, I think you should start here! (before going to the others.) On site there is a museum telling stories about Okinawa Ryukyu kingdom and its kings/heroes. So you have achance to learn about the owners/builders of these castles. Thr ruins is on top of the nearby hill - you can walk or ask for a golf cart to take you up to the middle of the way up. Up there you have a good view of the nearby towns. The tourist office/souvinior shop on site is very nice, yet quite small. So you learn a bit plus a good stretch, highly recommended.
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Ronrapee Leelawong
Oct 27, 2024
Katsuren Castle Ruins offers an indoor museum area and the actual outdoor ruins across the street. Indoor, visited first, provides an introduction to the Ryukyu history in general and the castle in particular. Especially worth seeing is an impressive miniature model of the site, which helps a lot to understand the setting when afterwards going outside. The ruins can be climbed up via mostly well maintained stairs along the four original levels with signs well-written also in English. The topmost level offers great views across the sea and coastline. Definitely worth the 600 Yen entrance fee. (visited on a weekday at 5 pm)
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Christopher
Oct 4, 2024
Extraordinary place. Not only do you get to explore the ruins which have magnificent views, there is a museum with interactive consoles, a short movie that explains the history and many displays. Highly recommend!
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Freya'sdottir X
Aug 5, 2024


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