Nakijin Castle Remains boasting an area equal to that of Shuri Castle
90 minutes away from Naha City by car, Nakijin Castle Remains is located in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa and Motobu Peninsula in the northeast. Built upon a 100m-high hill, the north and east sides of the castle form a 70-80m long valley. The 4-hectare Nakijin Castle has a size to match that of Shuri Castle so that it has been designated nationally as a Historic Site. The admission fee for the castle ruins will also get you into the Nakijin Village Historical Culture Center, so if time permits, you can have the opportunity to further enhance your knowledge about the castle by dropping in.
The lovely contrast between the castle walls and Japan’s earliest cherry blossoms
The appeal of Nakijin Castle lies in its castle walls. Measuring 3-8m tall and up to 1.5km in length, the soaring walls and the beautiful curves they form are characteristic of Nakijin. Only this castle has been built in the oldest method of stonework known as “Nomen-zumi” with stones so hard that they cannot be processed. Different from other castles, visitors are left with a rough-hewn impression. Furthermore, Nakijin Castle is famous for its Taiwanese cherry trees which blossom the earliest anywhere in Japan alongside the cherries on Mt. Yae in Okinawa. The 600 trees bloom inside and outside of the castle area around January so that the superb scene of the walls and cherry blossoms together is popular. The Nakijin Gusuku Cherry Blossom Festival which occurs between late January and early February also has nighttime illumination to charm many visitors.
Another highlight is the great view from the plateau
The view from Nakijin Castle which sits atop a plateau is another highlight. The most popular viewing point of Uchibaru is located at the northern end of the site and is the most open area of the castle. Almost all of the walls for the castle can be seen, and you can get a panoramic view of the beautiful ocean and the islands. Since it is only within a close 12-13 minute car ride, a trip to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium can be arranged along with a visit to Nakijin Castle.