What other travelers are saying about Katsuren Castle Ruins
We parked and bought tickets from the building on the right. ¥1200 for the 2 of us adults. We walked over to the castle and rode the golf cart up to the top. The scenery from the top was beautiful and the castle itself was interesting to read about on the placards. There are lots of stairs, so bring actual shoes not sandals. Afterwards we rode down and went inside the building to view the small museum portion. There was a video about the castle and the history of what happened there. There was also a little miniature setup of how the area was used during that time period. It was hot though, don't forget your water and hat or umbrella! Bring some ¥ to toss down in the cave on the top to pay your respects.
Small castle ruins site which is a world heritage site. Sadly only able to see the remaining walls.
Offers a great view on the top of castle.
Free parking is a short distance away.
I've visited a few of the castles around Okinawa and this is one of my favorites. It's a little walk up to it but worth it. It's small and won't take too long to explore so it's good if you plan on seeing a couple of other place in a day. And parking was pretty convenient also. Oh and go see the museum too!
If you want to explore all the castle ruins in Okinawa, I think you should start here! (before going to the others.)
On site there is a museum telling stories about Okinawa Ryukyu kingdom and its kings/heroes. So you have achance to learn about the owners/builders of these castles. Thr ruins is on top of the nearby hill - you can walk or ask for a golf cart to take you up to the middle of the way up. Up there you have a good view of the nearby towns. The tourist office/souvinior shop on site is very nice, yet quite small.
So you learn a bit plus a good stretch, highly recommended.
Katsuren Castle Ruins, also known as Katsuren-jō, are the remains of a Ryukyuan gusuku (castle or fortress) located on the Katsuren Peninsula in Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture. The castle is perched on a hill providing strategic views of the surrounding area, including the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea.
Katsuren Castle Ruins can be accessed by car or bus from Naha, the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture. It is approximately a one-hour drive from Naha. Public transportation options are available, but renting a car might offer more flexibility and convenience for visiting the ruins and exploring the surrounding area.
The exact construction date of Katsuren Castle is unknown, but it is believed to have been built during the 14th century. It reached its peak of prosperity under the rule of Lord Amawari in the 15th century.
While there are no regular events or festivals held specifically at the Katsuren Castle Ruins, the local community in Uruma sometimes organizes cultural events and historical reenactments that celebrate the heritage of the Ryukyu Kingdom, in which the castle ruins may play a part.
