The Zakimi Castle Ruins sit in Yomitan Village, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000, the ruins are a well-known destination for visitors.
As a sightseeing stop, you can walk the whole site in about 30 to 45 minutes.
There is free parking too, so it is an easy place to drop into.
Zakimi Castle Ruins ratings
*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other castles and castle ruins in Okinawa
Zakimi Castle Ruins essentials
| Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | Open year-round |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | About 30–45 minutes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Available |
| Address | 708-6 Zakimi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
The Zakimi Castle Ruins are known for their beautiful stonework and gracefully curved walls
In 2000 they were inscribed as part of the World Heritage Site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.
Highlights of the Zakimi Castle Ruins
The beautiful stonework
The beautiful stonework at Zakimi draws the eye of everyone who visits.
Delicate yet powerful, it speaks to Okinawa’s history and craftsmanship.
Do take your time over it as you walk around.
The arched stone gate
The arched stone gate is one of the real highlights of the site.
Step through this distinctively shaped gateway and it feels rather like slipping back into another age.
The gracefully curved walls
The beauty of those curving walls is one of the great appeals of Zakimi.
With the grasses and trees swaying in the wind, the elegant curves greet every visitor.
The view from the top
The view from the top of the ruins is beautiful in a way that is hard to put into words.
The open sea, green hills and the townscape of Yomitan Village all lie before you.
Do go up and see it while you are here.
Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000
In 2000 the Zakimi Castle Ruins were inscribed as part of the World Heritage Site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.
Their value and historical importance come across clearly on the ground.
Allow about 30 to 45 minutes
As a sightseeing stop, you can walk the whole site in about 30 to 45 minutes.
Allow a little longer if you also want to visit the Yuntanza Museum at the Zakimi Castle Ruins.
It is a place where you can take in Okinawa’s history and culture in a short visit.
There are places to rest
If you tire partway round, there are plenty of spots to sit down.
You can take your time here with a real sense of the history around you.
Light-ups at the Zakimi Castle Ruins
The ruins are lit up on an irregular schedule.
Judging by past years, the light-ups most often fall around the Yomitan Festival — the weekend at the end of October.
Access and parking
| Access | About 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 708-6 Zakimi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Restroom | Available |
The Zakimi Castle Ruins have free parking.
There are two car parks, and we recommend Car Park 1, which is closer to the ruins.
Please check the Google Maps below for parking details.
[Car Park 1]
[Car Park 2]
The history of the Zakimi Castle Ruins
Zakimi holds a special place in Okinawan history.
Built between 1416 and 1422, in the era of Shō Hashi — the first king of the Ryukyu Kingdom — it was raised by Gosamaru, a powerful local lord.
The castle is said to have been built with a strategic purpose: keeping watch on forces opposed to the king.
Zakimi is known for its beautifully curved walls, and that beauty earned it a place among the “Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles”.
Those curves resemble the structure of a modern arch dam, a testament to how advanced the castle-building techniques of the time were.
The distinctive arched stone gate, and the use of wedge stones found at no other gusuku, both speak to Gosamaru’s exceptional skill as a builder.
Tradition holds that the stone for Zakimi came from nearby Yamada Castle, and that workers were brought in from the Amami Islands.
The stones are said to have been passed from hand to hand and stacked into place.
The site was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1956 and a National Historic Site in 1972.
Then in 2000 it was inscribed as part of the World Heritage Site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.
With a history running from an age of war through to the present day, the Zakimi Castle Ruins have become an essential stop on any trip to Okinawa.
A visit here gives you a feel for Ryukyuan history, for Gosamaru’s building skill, and for how the site sits in harmony with Okinawa’s landscape.
What’s nearby
Yuntanza Museum at the World Heritage Zakimi Castle Ruins
The first-floor exhibition space at the Yuntanza Museum covers the World Heritage Zakimi Castle Ruins along with the nature and culture of Yomitan.
The second floor has displays on archaeology, folklore, nature and the Battle of Okinawa, with dioramas of gama caves and turtleback tombs to explain them in detail.
| Opening hours | 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30) |
| Closed | ・Wednesdays, and the New Year period (28 December – 4 January) ・Temporary closures for exhibition changes, fumigation and the like ・When a public holiday falls on a Wednesday, the museum closes the following day instead |
Cape Zanpa
Cape Zanpa is a headland in Yomitan Village, and a well-known attraction where roughly 30-metre cliffs run for about 2 kilometres.
It is also famous for its large lighthouse, and draws plenty of visitors and locals alike.
It is about 10 minutes by car from the Zakimi Castle Ruins, and is known for its spectacular views.
Activities in Yomitan Village
Yomitan Village has plenty of activities on offer too — snorkeling, whale shark encounters and more, so you can make the most of the sea.
To finish: the Zakimi Castle Ruins are one of those places you really should not skip on a trip to Okinawa.
Why not spend an unhurried hour taking in the history and the landscape with all your senses?
Summary
In this article we introduced the Zakimi Castle Ruins.
These ruins draw large numbers of visitors every year.
They are a place of both historical value and real beauty, so do make time for the Zakimi Castle Ruins when you are travelling in Okinawa.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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