This is the ruins of a gusuku (castle) where one of the powerful masters of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Ahmawari, used to live.
(Amanushi: local rulers in the Ryukyu Kingdom period)
It is said that Amawari resisted the king to the end and fought bravely until the castle fell.
The castle is located at the southern base of the Katsuren Peninsula and consists of three fortresses: Minamigusuku, Nakagusuku, and Hokugusuku.
To the south of the castle is the village of Nanpuhara, which was equipped with a harbor.
To the north of the castle is a granary, which was used as a rice field.
From the ruins of Katsuren Castle, there is a beautiful view of the northern mountains, remote islands, Chinen Peninsula, Kutaka Island, and the ruins of Nakagusuku Castle.
In 2000, together with the Shuri Castle Ruins, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (cultural heritage) as the Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. This gusuku is the oldest of the registered sites. Currently, about 100,000 tourists visit Katsuren Castle Ruins every year.
9:00-18:00
Open all year round
Katsure Castle Ruins, Atomari Park Historical and Cultural Facilities
Adults (high school students and older): 600 yen
Children (junior high school students and under) 400 yen
Free for children under 6 years old
90 min. from Naha Bus Terminal *Take Yakeina Line (No. 27 or 180), get off at Nishihara Bus Stop, 10 min. walk.
90 min. from Omoromachi Station Square *Take Yakeina Omoromachi Line (No. 227), get off at Nishihara Bus Stop, and walk 10 min.
90 minutes from Naha Bus Terminal *Yokatsu Line (No.52), get off at Katsuren Danchi-mae bus stop, about 5 minutes walk
60 minutes from Ginowan Mashiki *Take Maehara Line (No. 61), get off at Katsuren Danchi-mae bus stop, and walk about 5 minutes.