Nakijin Castle Ruins

The largest castle ruin in Okinawa, built in the 14th century as the seat of the Northern Kingdom (Hokuzan) before the Ryukyu unification. The walls stretch for 1.5 km along a ridge 100m above the sea — far more dramatic than Shuri Castle — and they shelter 200 cherry trees that bloom in January, the earliest cherry blossoms in Japan.

Location

Why Visit

• 1

  January cherry blossoms here are the first in Japan — visit for a surreal winter sakura experience

• 2

  The view from the top of the wall looks over the East China Sea to Ie Island — on clear days you can see Amami Oshima

• 3

  The site is far less crowded than Shuri Castle and more atmospheric — moss-covered limestone walls in a working forest

Local Tips

Nakijin has the longest castle wall in Okinawa — 1.5km of curved coral limestone walls winding along a hilltop. The castle blooms with cherry blossoms in January (Okinawa's cherry season is Japan's earliest) while mainland Japan is still in winter. The view north toward the East China Sea from the upper walls is outstanding.