What other travelers are saying about Katsuren Castle Ruins
Interesting museum and castle. We went on a Saturday in January and it wasn’t crowded at all. They have a trolley that takes you up to the castle hill if you prefer not to walk (it’s quite steep and curvy). Beautiful views of Uruma and surrounding ocean. It was a clear day and we could see so far off! Bring binoculars! Lots of interesting informational signs telling us about the castle and what each area was for. Much more informative than Zakimi. The steps up the castle walls are a bit treacherous but manageable with tennis house and good balance 😅
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.
Personally I think the best view of the castle is from the entrance. I am not a huge fan of the Okinawan castles because all of them are ruins. I think there are similar ones that are better in my opinion. The view from the top is good but not breathtaking. You can visit here if you are around but don’t go all the way just to come here.
There’s free parking and a museum nearby as well.
Fascinating place to visit. We arrived late in the day and only had about half an hour to walk the grounds. This monthly weren't able to enter the museum. However, walking the grounds alone is well worth the price of admission it's a beautiful place with breathtaking views of Uruma and the surrounding areas. Well worth the visit!
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.
Didn't get to go there in the morning to see. Went there for the sky lantern period.
It is quite a mini hike up. But worth it the view of the castle is pretty and I am sure it will be nicer up there. To go up, is another long slope up. So not too sure if it is too tough for elderly.
