Nakijin Castle
今帰仁城跡Nakijin gusuku26°41′ N 127°56′ EGusukuUNESCO World HeritageSeat of the Hokuzan kings in the 14th century; fell in 1416 (some sources say 1422); overseers lived here until 1665
Nakijin Castle on the Motobu Peninsula is the ruin of the Hokuzan kings' stronghold, with stone walls that snake for several hundred metres along a ridge about 100 m above sea level. Adult entry costs ¥1,000, and from mid-January to early February its Taiwan cherry trees draw crowds to one of Okinawa's favourite blossom spots.
Photo TurnOnTheNight · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
In the 14th century Okinawa split into three kingdoms. Chinese records name three kings of Hokuzan, which was the northern realm. They ruled the north of the island from this ridge and traded with China. Sho Hashi of Chuzan took the castle in 1416, and some sources put it in 1422. Shuri then sent overseers to govern the north from here until the last of them left in 1665, and the Satsuma army that invaded Ryukyu in 1609 is said to have set the castle on fire.
A legend comes down with the sword Chiyoganemaru. Hananchi was the last king of Hokuzan. When Chuzan's army broke in, he struck at the sacred stone of the guardian deity who had failed to protect him, and then he tried to take his own life with the blade and could not. He threw the sword into the Shigema River, where someone from Iheya Island found it downstream and gave it to the royal court. The original is a National Treasure held by the Naha City Museum of History, and the Nakijin Village History and Culture Centre at the castle displays a replica.
You enter through the main gate of Heiro-mon, which the Ryukyu Government repaired in 1962. Beyond it the old path climbs a twisting valley in the bedrock that the builders kept narrow and steep for defence. The Uushimi enclosure carries the highest walls in the castle. From the Uuchibaru, where the women who served the castle lived, the sea opens up to the north. Tradition makes it one of the holiest spots inside the walls. Volunteer guides from the Nakijin Gusuku study group work from the ticket office every day of the year.
Visiting with care
The village bans food and drink inside the walls, and it asks groups to book because the bus car park is small.
- Adult admission is ¥1,000 and children pay ¥500 since 1 September 2025; groups of 10 or more pay ¥800 and ¥400
- No eating or drinking inside the castle walls; the rest area by the ticket office is fine
- Groups of 10 or more should book ahead by fax or the inquiry form
- Car park No. 1 has been closed since 1 September 2026 for nearby construction; use car parks 2, 3 and 4
- People come from across Okinawa to pray at the shrines inside the walls, and the Uuchibaru holds one of the holiest; give them room and don't photograph them at prayer
- Stay on the paths and off the walls, which in places run only about 2 m high and look easy to climb
- The limestone hill of Kuba-no-utaki to the west is a sacred precinct that locals call Ugaami; admire it from the castle and leave it alone
Worth knowing
- The kanhizakura (Taiwan cherry) bloom runs from mid-January to early February, so a February 2027 trip may catch the tail of it; the village posts the state of the blossom on the castle site.
- Ask at the ticket office for a volunteer guide; the group takes requests from 8:30 to 16:00 on 0980-56-4406.
- Nakijin sits about 90 minutes by car from Naha, so it pairs well with a night in Motobu or on Kouri Island.
- The castle stands about 100 m above sea level, so the last stretch of any ride in from the coast is a climb.
FAQ
Quick answers about Nakijin Castleよくある質問
How much is the entrance fee for Nakijin Castle?
Nakijin Castle has charged ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children since 1 September 2025. Groups of 10 or more pay ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for children.
When do the cherry blossoms bloom at Nakijin Castle?
The kanhizakura at Nakijin Castle bloom from mid-January to early February. The village holds the Nakijin Gusuku Sakura Matsuri in that season, and its 18th edition closed on 2 February 2025.
What are Nakijin Castle's opening hours?
Nakijin Castle opens 8:00–18:00 with last entry at 17:30 for most of the year. From 1 May to 31 August it stays open until 19:00, with last entry at 18:30.
Can you visit Nakijin Castle?
Open to visitors. Adult admission is ¥1,000 and children pay ¥500 since 1 September 2025; groups of 10 or more pay ¥800 and ¥400. No eating or drinking inside the castle walls; the rest area by the ticket office is fine. Groups of 10 or more should book ahead by fax or the inquiry form. Car park No. 1 has been closed since 1 September 2026 for nearby construction; use car parks 2, 3 and 4.
How should you behave at Nakijin Castle?
At Nakijin Castle: People come from across Okinawa to pray at the shrines inside the walls, and the Uuchibaru holds one of the holiest; give them room and don't photograph them at prayer. Stay on the paths and off the walls, which in places run only about 2 m high and look easy to climb. The limestone hill of Kuba-no-utaki to the west is a sacred precinct that locals call Ugaami; admire it from the castle and leave it alone.
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