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Nakijin Castle
4874 Imadomari, Nakijin
Village
Okinawa, Japan
Tel +81-980-56-4400
Fees:
Adults -----100yen
Highschool- 100yen
Children----50yen
Hours: 8:30-7:30 |
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In the outer reaches of Motobu Peninsula,
the remaining walls of Nakijin Gusuku
(Castle)
stand like stone ghosts amidst the
surrounding
wild mountains. After having survived
the
ravages of war, countless typhoons,
and the
aging process of time, this once magnificent
fortress has become a symbol of Okinawa's
ancient past. The castle was recognized
as
a National Historical Site in 1972
by the
Ministry of Education, and excavation
has
helped historians and archeologists
piece
together many previously unknown aspects
about Okinawa's history.
Archeologists estimate that construction
on Nakijin Castle began at the end of the
13th century - over a hundred years before
the beginning of the Ryukyu Dynasty. Chunks
of limestone were used to form both inner
and outer walls, which extended for over
1.5 kilometers. The castle's interior once
supported several buildings used to house
the King, his family, vassals, a small army,
and supplies. Many horse bones were unearthed
at one section of the castle, indicating
that stables also might have existed.
Each separate area was located at different
levels of elevation, and was protected by
many inner walls. The King's quarters rested
on the highest level of elevation with guarded
inner gates. Main gates were located at the
castle's northern and southern end. Although
the castle shows no signs of the sophisticated
stone-cutting work found at other castle
sites on Okinawa, its exquisitely curved
walls demonstrate a high level of architectural
design.
One of Nakijin Gusuku's most striking features
was its enormous size. The castle's total
land area covered approximately 14 acres,
making it the largest gusuku to have existed
during its time. Today, a long walkway of
steps leads you from the northern gate up
to the castle's main courtyard. Cherry blossom
trees, which were planted more recently,
line the ancient stone path and form a beautiful
corridor of floating pink petals every January
and February. |
