Zakimi Castle - Zakimi-Gusuku

Zakimi Castle ( Zakimi Gusuku) is a Gusuku (Okinawa style castle) in Yomitan, Okinawa Japan . Zakimi Castle was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in November 2000. During WWII the castle was used as a gun emplacement by the Japanese and was subsequently destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa. After the World War Two Zakimi Castle was used as a radar station by the U.S. military occupying Okinawa.

In recent years the walls of Zakimi Castle have been repaired and restored to a pristine condition and display the amazing masonry work of Ryuku Gusuku built around this period. Even though the walls of the castle have been restored any buildings within the grounds are still not present.

The history of Zakimi castle goes back to around 1422. This Okinawa gusuku was built by Gosamaru, then lord of Yamada Castle, four kilometers northeast of Zakimi. According to Okinawa legend, Gosamaru had the stones from his former castle in Yamada moved one by one to Zakimi by forming a human chain of workers.

A day trip to Zakimi Castle is a good outing for a few hours and makes for a nice walk with the family or alone. Surrounding the castle grounds are gardens and gazeboes. There is also Yomitan Village History and Folklore Museum at the entrance of the castle grounds

Directions: From Naha Airport take Highway 58 north towards Nago. Keep left and continue through Kadena Circle, about 4 kilometers. Turn left onto Route 12 for Zakimi. Follow the road for 1.7 kilometers, and then turn right up a steep hill. Turn right into the parking lot. Zakimi Castle is well marked on road signs and easy to get to.

From Naha Airport: Approx. 1 hr 30 min. (by highway)
From Yuirail Asahibashi Station: 3 min. on foot
From Naha Bus Terminal: 1h by bus #28
From Takashiho-Iriguchi bus stop: 20 min. on foot

Admission: Free
Open Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: (098) 958-3141