The World Heritage Site “Nakagusuku Castle” is a vast castle ruin. You can enjoy the difference from other castles in the prefecture.
By the late 14th century, several generations of Sachinakagusukuji built the main part of Nakagusuku Castle, which was expanded by Gosamaru in 1440.
Since it was burnt down during the Battle of Okinawa and no documents remain, only the castle walls were restored and reconstructed.
The beautifully curved walls of the castle and the high level of masonry techniques can be seen.
The view of both the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean is breathtaking.
In 2000, it was registered as a World Heritage site as “Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.
Point 1: You can feel the history of Ryukyu
The date of construction of Nakagusuku Castle is unknown, but it is said that several generations of Sachinakagusuku Aji built the main part of the castle by the late 14th century, and that Gosamaru expanded the castle in 1440.
The term “aji” refers to a person in power in the locality, and is equivalent to a powerful family in the interior.
Gosamaru was a hero of the Ryukyu Kingdom and is the subject of the kumiodori “Nido Tekiuchi” (“Nido’s Enemy Avenge”).
It served as the administrative center of Nakagusuku Village until the facility was destroyed by fire during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
Point 2: Beautiful and highly sophisticated masonry that even Perry admired.
Masonry techniques have long been developed in Okinawa, and Nakagusuku Castle was built over a long period time.
At Nakagusuku Castle, three types of piles can be seen: nosazurazumi (piling natural stones as they are), nunozumi (piling stones cut into squares), and aikatazumi (piling stones cut into hexagonal shapes).
The arched gates, which are found in several places in the castle, are beautiful. It is evident that they had the technology to work the stone into arches. Of course, as with the castle walls, no plaster or cement was used. It is said that Commodore Perry admired the masonry technique.
Point 3: Beautiful view
Nakagusuku Castle Ruins is a mountain castle located on a limestone hill at an elevation of 150 to 170 meters above sea level, straddling Nakagusuku Village and Kita Nakagusuku Village. The southeast side of the castle has a cliff more than 15m high, and the northwest side has a steep slope, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Because of the high elevation of Nakagusuku Castle, visitors can see the East China Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east when they ascend the castle walls.
When the weather is clear, the view is breathtakingly beautiful, with far-reaching vistas.
