Let’s learn about the history and charm of Katsuren Castle, a World Heritage tourist attraction!

Okinawa Prefecture is home to five castle ruins (known as gusuku) that are registered as World Heritage Sites, including the ruins of Shurijo Castle, once the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and Nakijin Castle, the former residence of the king of Hokuzan. Among these, the “Katsuren Castle Ruins” that we will introduce in this article are said to be the oldest of the five. In this article, we will explain in detail the rise and fall of Katsuren Castle and highlight its points of interest.

1. What are Katsuren Castle Ruins?

Katsuren Castle Ruins are located northeast of Naha City, near the base of the Yokatsu Peninsula in Uruma City. It is built atop a steep hill 100 meters above sea level, skillfully making use of the terrain’s elevation differences. The castle’s beautiful stone walls, constructed using a technique called Nunozumi (where cut stones are laid horizontally), impress visitors with their elegance.
The castle grounds are divided into two main areas: the North Castle and the South Castle. Currently, the North Castle area is maintained as a tourist attraction. The castle terraces are arranged in four stepped levels, and climbing up to the top enclosure—the main bailey known as Ichinokuruwa—is quite a workout. From the top, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views: to the north, you’ll see Kin Bay and the Yanbaru region; to the south, you’ll see Nakagusuku Bay and the Chinen Peninsula. This makes it one of Okinawa’s top scenic spots.
Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, entry is free—one of the reasons it attracts many tourists. There’s also a parking area, making it easy to visit by rental car. If using public transportation, simply board the Yokatsu Line (Route 52) from the Naha Bus Terminal and get off at the Katsuren-joato-mae bus stop. The ruins will be right in front of you.

2. History of Katsuren Castle

Katsuren Castle is believed to have been built in the late 13th to early 14th century by the Eiso Dynasty, which is considered the oldest of Okinawa’s royal dynasties with a high likelihood of historical existence. After its construction, it came under the rule of the royal class known as Aji.
In the 15th century, a man named Amawari overthrew the 9th Lord of Katsuren, Mochizuki Aji, who was said to have ruled oppressively and indulged in pleasures. Amawari then became the lord of Katsuren Castle. He actively promoted overseas trade centered around Katsuren Castle, steadily gaining power, and eventually began to aspire to unify the Ryukyu Kingdom. However, his ambitions were discovered by Momoto Fumiagari, daughter of the Ryukyu King and Amawari's wife as part of a political alliance. She reported this to Shuri Castle, prompting a preemptive strike by the royal forces, who ultimately destroyed Amawari in 1458.
Even today, local legends (omoro) remember Amawari as a wise ruler. The large number of Chinese ceramics excavated from the castle grounds suggests how prosperous Katsuren once was. In Okinawa’s oldest collection of songs, the Omorosōshi, one song goes, “How shall we compare Katsuren? We compare it to Kamakura of Yamato,” indicating that Katsuren was once as flourishing as Kamakura. However, both the castle and the town fell into decline following Amawari’s downfall.

3. Highlights of Katsuren Castle Ruins

At the foot of the Katsuren Castle Ruins, there is a parking lot and information center for tourists. From this point, you can already see a panoramic view of the castle and its stone walls, so it's a good idea to first take in the overall picture. You’ll appreciate the beautiful curves of the stone walls, which have been carefully stacked to form smooth slopes.
Katsuren Castle was once likened to a giant sailing ship towering on a hill against the blue sky. It’s enjoyable to imagine how it might have looked back then as you gaze upward. The hill where Katsuren Castle stands is steep on all sides, so please be careful with your footing while touring. There are also features such as a virtual tour you can access via smartphone, and audio guidance you can listen to as you explore the castle.
Now, let us introduce three specific highlights of the site.

Castle Gate of the Third Bailey

From the information center, cross the signal and walk up the road leading to the castle ruins. You’ll arrive at the saddle between the North Castle and South Castle. From here, when you look toward the North Castle, you’ll be struck by the towering stone walls of the Third Bailey. The grand scale and refined technique are more than enough to infer Amawari’s power and ambition.
This is a representative view of the Katsuren Castle Ruins, so don’t forget to take plenty of photos. You’ll return the same way you came, so you’ll have the chance to be impressed by the stone walls again, both going up and coming down.

Site of the Palace

Above the Third Bailey are the Second and First Baileys. The Second Bailey, in contrast to the Third, served as the residential area for the Katsuren Aji (lord). On the low base platform, foundation stones are lined up, suggesting that a large palace once stood there.
It is believed that Amawari and other successive lords of Katsuren actually lived in this building, making it one of the highlights within the castle grounds.

Ichinokuruwa (The First Enclosure)

The Ichinokuruwa, corresponding to the main enclosure (honmaru), is a fortified space surrounded by cliffs and stone walls. At its center lies the Tamano Miuji Utaki, a sacred site where rituals—including those during wartime—are believed to have taken place.
Today, the appeal of Ichinokuruwa lies in its breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view. The sea stretches out on both sides, and visitors can even catch sight of the Kaichu-doro (sea road), a popular tourist attraction in Uruma City. Standing here, one can truly resonate with the spirit and ambition of Amawari, who dreamed of unifying the Ryukyu Kingdom.

4. Excavation of Katsuren Castle Ruins

Excavation and restoration efforts continue at the Katsuren Castle Ruins. As previously mentioned, many Chinese ceramics have been unearthed here, revealing that Katsuren was once a significant hub for overseas trade.
Furthermore, a 2013 survey uncovered ten metal items. X-ray analysis later confirmed that four of them were coins from the Roman Empire. How these Western coins—minted over a thousand years before the castle's construction—ended up at Katsuren remains a mystery, and future research is highly anticipated.

5. Katsuren Castle Ruins Rest Area

Attached to the parking lot is the Katsuren Castle Ruins Rest Area. Inside the facility, in addition to the rest area, there’s a tourist information corner and a shop called “Uruma-ru” that sells local products from Uruma City. Furthermore, on the veranda of the rest area, there is a remarkably lifelike figure of Grandma Tsuru Higashi-e sitting down, crafted so realistically that it might make you do a double take! She’s placed right at the turn when you look back after entering, so it can be a little startling. This has become a sort of landmark of the Katsuren Castle Ruins, so be sure to greet her before you leave!
As for souvenirs, there’s a wide variety of food items such as chinsuko cookies, sweet potatoes made with Uruma City’s specialty golden yams, and tororo-yaki filled with papaya paste. There are also castle-themed goods like Katsuren Castle Ruins T-shirts and tenugui towels, perfect for castle enthusiasts.

◎ Summary

Katsuren Castle is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but is also listed among the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles. It’s one of the most iconic castle ruins in Okinawa Prefecture. While it’s a bit off the main tourist areas of Okinawa’s main island, it’s worth visiting alongside the Kaichu Road and Nakagusuku Castle, which is also a World Heritage Site. Though the climb can be a bit tiring, there are no buildings to explore, so the sightseeing can be done fairly quickly.

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Let’s learn about the history and charm of Katsuren Castle, a World Heritage tourist attraction!