Nakijin Castle, whose stone walls stretch a total of approximately 1.5 kilometers, is one of the largest gusuku castles in Okinawa, comparable in scale to Shuri Castle. It is also registered as part of the World Heritage site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.”
Although there is no definitive explanation for the origin of the name “Nakijin,” historical records indicate that the castle was once known as “Miyakisen.”
In the 14th century, during the period when Japan was transitioning from the Kamakura to the Muromachi era, Okinawa was divided into three kingdoms—the Northern, Central, and Southern Kingdoms. Nakijin Castle served as the stronghold of the Northern Kingdom.
Unlike many other gusuku castles built using relatively soft Ryukyu limestone, Nakijin Castle was constructed with extremely hard ancient limestone.
Because the stones were difficult to shape, they were stacked largely in their natural forms, resulting in the castle’s distinctive stone walls made up of rocks of many different shapes and sizes.
Fortunately, the site suffered very little damage during the Battle of Okinawa. As a result, valuable remains such as residential ruins and sacred utaki sites have survived, and many excavated artifacts are now displayed at the Nakijin Village History and Culture Center.
Throughout the site, visitors will find informational panels featuring photographs and illustrations, and knowledgeable guides are available to provide explanations.
Guided tours can be joined free of charge when requested on the day of your visit, although advance reservations require a fee.