Nakijin Castle Ruins
The Nakijin Castle Ruins (今帰仁城跡, Nakijinjōato) are located on the Motobu Peninsula of northern Okinawa Honto and are among the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In contrast to other castles on Okinawa, Nakijin Castle stands in an area of low population density with lush forests, that bestow the ruins with a unique atmosphere.
Nakijin Castle was built in the late 1200s. During the Sanzan Period (1322-1429), Okinawa Honto was divided into three kingdoms: the Hokuzan in the north, the Chuzan in the middle and the Nanzan in the south. Nakijin served as the castle of the Hokuzan king until it was taken over by the Chuzan on their way to unifying the island and forming the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Besides the castle ruins stands the Nakijin Village History and Culture Center with a small museum displaying items unearthed on the castle grounds, such as Chinese pottery, coins and documents. There are also exhibits about everyday life and culture of Nakijin Village.
Getting there and around
The Nakijin Castle Ruins are located on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Honto, about 90 kilometers from Naha, and about a ten minute car ride from the Ocean Expo Park.
By direct bus from Naha
The Yanbaru Express directly connects the airport and city center of Naha with Nakijin Castle. Get off at Nakijinjōshi-iriguchi (今帰仁城跡入口), from where it is a 15-20 minute walk uphill to the castle ruins. The one way trip takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2000-2100 yen. Buses operate roughly every two hours. In central Naha, the bus stops at the Prefectural Office (県庁北口, Kenchō Kitaguchi) and Tomari Port among other locations.
By bus from Nago
Bus line numbers 65 or 66 run counterclockwise and clockwise respectively in a loop around the Motobu Peninsula. Get off at Nakijinjōshi-iriguchi (今帰仁城跡入口, 45-60 minutes, 800 yen from Nago Bus Terminal, 1-2 buses per hour), from where it is a 15-20 minute walk uphill to the castle ruins. The counterclockwise line 65 is faster from Nago to the castle, while the clockwise line 66 is faster in the opposite direction.
By car
By car, take the Okinawa Expressway from Naha all the way to its northern end near Nago (1040 yen one way) and then follow regular roads across the Motobu Peninsula to the Nakijin Castle Ruins. In total, the journey takes about two hours one way (more during rush hours).
How to get to and around Okinawa Honto
Hours and Fees
Hours
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing
Closed
Admission
Typical Visit Duration
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Okinawa Island
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La Passione Boutique B&BBoasting city views, La Passione Boutique B&B features accommodation with terrace, around 2.2 km from Naminoue Beach. This 1-star bed and breakfast offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The rooms are fitted with a balcony. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a private bathroom and a well-fitted kitchen including a dishwasher, oven, microwave and a toaster. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also offered, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. At the bed and breakfast, units have bed linen and towels. Continental and Asian breakfast options with warm dishes, local specialities and pancakes are available each morning at the bed and breakfast. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.1 km from La Passione Boutique B&B, while Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts- features accommodation within 700 metres of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.4 km from Naminoue Beach. The accommodation offers a lift and full-day security for guests. At the aparthotel, every unit comes with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.7 km from the aparthotel, while Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel CollectiveIn a prime location in the centre of Naha, Hotel Collective offers air-conditioned rooms, a fitness centre, free WiFi and a restaurant. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a sauna and a hot tub. The accommodation provides a kids' club, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. At the hotel, every room has a wardrobe. The units in Hotel Collective are equipped with a TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American breakfast. Naminoue Beach is 1.8 km from Hotel Collective, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.5 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Living Inn NahakoumaeLiving Inn Nahakoumae offers accommodation within 1.2 km of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and kitchenware. It is set 1.3 km from Naminoue Beach and features a lift. The aparthotel has family rooms. All units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and kettle. All units feature a private bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 5.4 km from the aparthotel, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Living Inn Nahakoumae.View on Booking.com -
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Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIERConveniently located in the centre of Naha, Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER offers buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Guests can enjoy city views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER all rooms have bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 2.8 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 17 km from the property. Naha Airport is 7 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel GrandConsort NahaLocated in the centre of Naha, Hotel GrandConsort Naha is situated 1.5 km from Naminoue Beach and 4.2 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. This 4-star hotel offers a shared lounge, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel GrandConsort Naha every room comes with bed linen and towels. Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 21 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom NahaJR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha offers accommodation in Naha. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant during their stay. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and private parking is available on site for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is completely non-smoking and fully equipped with barrier-free facilities. Each of the hotel's carpeted rooms is air-conditioned and soundproofed. The rooms have a flat-screen satellite TV. The bed is equipped with a Simmons pocket coil mattress. Rooms are equipped with an electric kettle, clothes rack and refrigerator. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bathtub. Towels, bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and free toiletries are also provided. There is also a safety deposit box and a laptop safe. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Drinks vending machines and a free trouser press are available on site. Paid massages and meeting/banquet facilities can be arranged for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is a 1-minute walk from Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping District and a 5-minute walk from Miebashi Monorail Station. Naha Airport is within 30 minutes by train.View on Booking.com -
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Okinawa EXES NahaSet in Naha, 1.2 km from Naminoue Beach, Okinawa EXES Naha offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. This 5-star hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property is 4.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, and within 700 metres of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Okinawa EXES Naha all rooms come with bed linen and towels. Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km away. Naha Airport is 4 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Ryujin Hotel UkishimaRyujin Hotel Ukishima features accommodation within 600 metres of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with an oven, a microwave and a toaster. With city views, this accommodation offers a terrace. The aparthotel has family rooms. All units are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is a private bathroom with bath in all units, along with a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the aparthotel, all units are soundproof. Naminoue Beach is 1.8 km from the aparthotel, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Ryujin Hotel Ukishima.View on Booking.com -
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Tokyu Stay Okinawa NahaBoasting a garden, a shared lounge as well as a restaurant, Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha is situated in the centre of Naha, 1.9 km from Naminoue Beach. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 5 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. At Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Sefa Utaki is 21 km from Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha, while Nakagusuku Castle is 22 km from the property. Naha Airport is 3 km away.View on Booking.com
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