Yara Castle Ruins Park is a park in Kadena Town, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
The park was laid out on the site that was the seat of the Ōkawa Aji until the middle of the 14th century, and both the history and the greenery have been left in place.
There is plenty to see, from the gusuku itself to the tomb of the aji, and it is a pleasant place for an unhurried walk.
It takes about 30 minutes to look around, which makes it easy to drop into.
Let’s take a look.
Ratings for Yara Castle Ruins Park
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other castles and castle ruins in Okinawa.
Yara Castle Ruins Park at a glance
| Opening hours | No set hours |
| Closed | No set hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | About 30 minutes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Address | Yara, Kadena, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
These days Yara Castle Ruins Park is used as a local park rather than as a tourist site.
What to see at Yara Castle Ruins Park
Yara Gusuku
Yara Gusuku was built on a low ridge of Ryukyu limestone in the middle reaches of the Hija River.
The Hija River to the north served as a natural moat, and a semicircular outer enclosure wraps the southwest side, giving it a concentric plan.
It is thought to date from somewhere between the 13th and 15th centuries, and excavations have turned up paved surfaces, post holes and ceramics.
Yara Gusuku no Utaki, the sacred site
Inside the gusuku is a place of worship known as Yara Gusuku no Utaki.
From there you look out over the valley of the Hija River, and the shape of the old fortress comes through the greenery.
It is a place that shows how completely Okinawa’s fortresses once sat within the landscape.
The tomb of the Ōkawa Aji
The tomb of the Ōkawa Aji stands on the eastern edge of Yara Gusuku.
It used to sit halfway up the cliff, but after the rock gave way it was moved to its present position in 1991.
Three zushigame funerary urns are kept inside the chamber, which makes it a rare survival within a gusuku.
Yara no Hijagaa, the old well
There is a well here called Yara no Hijagaa.
It does not appear to be in use now, but it clearly was once.
The park is large
There are restrooms and somewhere to sit, so you can wander at your own pace.
The grounds are wide and there is an open lawn, which makes it work for families with children.
Restrooms and places to sit
Restrooms, benches and other places to rest are provided in the grounds, so you can take your time.
Allow 30 minutes
Looking around the gusuku and the grounds, at a comfortable pace, takes roughly 30 minutes.
That is about right for taking in the history and the greenery without rushing.
The history of Yara Castle Ruins Park
Yara Castle Ruins Park was created on the site that had been the seat of the Ōkawa Aji until the middle of the 14th century.
This whole area was the base of the Ōkawa Aji, and excavations have produced a great deal of material.
The Ōkawa Aji belonged to a line descended from King Eiso, and was the fifth son of the third Lord of Hokuzan.
At the time the area was under the Nakamukashi Nakijin Aji, and the Ōkawa Aji was the powerful family beneath him.
What remains of his rule can be seen in Yara Gusuku, in the Yara Gusuku no Utaki, and in his tomb.
The tomb in particular once stood halfway up the cliff, and was moved to its present position in 1991 because of the risk of collapse.
Three zushigame urns are kept inside the chamber, one of the rare survivals within a gusuku.
Taken together, what has been excavated here points to a substantial centre built around the Ōkawa Aji.
That is where Yara Castle Ruins Park, with all its Ryukyuan history, comes from.
Getting there and parking
| Access | About 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Yara, Kadena, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (free, two car parks) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Yara Castle Ruins Park has two car parks, one on the west side and one on the east.
Both are free.
For the car parks, see the Google Maps below.
[West car park]
[East car park]
Nearby
Activities in Kadena Town
There are snorkelling, diving, SUP and other marine activities around Kadena Town.
Shore diving and snorkelling tours run at Mizugama Coast too, and a guided plan is the safer choice if it is your first time.
You can book through GetYourGuide or Viator, so take a look.
A rental car is the way to go in Okinawa
For sightseeing on Okinawa’s main island, a rental car is by far the best option.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches up north, American Village in Chatan – the places worth seeing are scattered across the island, and having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and rarely run on time, so having a car makes a real difference to the trip.
Cars book up quickly in peak season, so reserve as soon as your dates are set.
Summary
Yara Castle Ruins Park is a historic site left within a green setting, with the gusuku and the tomb of the aji among plenty to see.
Walk the grounds and you can turn your mind to the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom while coming across genuine cultural property.
It takes about 30 minutes, which makes it an easy quiet spot to drop into.
Why not make room for it on a trip around Okinawa?
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