Nakijin
今帰仁村Nachijin26°41′ N 127°58′ EVillagePop. 8,656
Nakijin is the village on the north side of the Motobu Peninsula that holds Kouri-jima and the World Heritage ruins of Nakijin Castle, where the old Hokuzan kingdom ruled.
Photo Fumihiko Ueno · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Before Shuri ruled the whole island, the north answered to the Hokuzan kings at Nakijin Castle, whose ruins stand on the World Heritage list with the other Ryukyu gusuku. In 1666 the old Nakijin district was split and its southern half became Motobu. About 8,700 people live in the village's 19 districts today, from Imadomari below the castle to Kouri out on the island.
The village coast is a run of natural beaches, and Uppama runs for about 1 km. The Warumi Bridge from Amesoko to Yagaji, opened in 2010, cut the drive from the village office to Kouri to about 15 minutes. The large Junglia Okinawa theme park also lies within the village.
The coast road stays low. The castle and the Otoyadake lookout sit up in the hills, so expect to climb if you visit them. Nakijin no Eki Sore sells local produce and makes an easy stop.
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FAQ
Quick answers about Nakijinよくある質問
What is Nakijin known for?
Nakijin is known for the World Heritage ruins of Nakijin Castle, where the Hokuzan kings of northern Okinawa once ruled, and for Kouri-jima, which belongs to the village.
How do you get from Nakijin to Kouri-jima?
From Nakijin you cross the Warumi Bridge to Yagaji-jima and then the Kouri Bridge to Kouri-jima, about 15 minutes by car from the village office.
Is Nakijin a good place to stay?
Stay in Nakijin for quiet beaches and the shortest run to Kouri. It suits riders who want the north coast of the peninsula on the doorstep and the castle at opening time.
Within 12 km
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Within 12 km
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