Nakijin Castle, Uppama and Naganaato beaches, and awamori production represent different sides of Nakijin Village. The area also offers festival traditions, settlement history and waterside activities.
Nakijin Castle and the History of the Kingdom
Nakijin Castle, also called Hokuzan Castle, was the seat of the King of Hokuzan during the era of the three kingdoms, before the unification of the Ryukyu Kingdom. After unification, it served as the seat of an inspector sent by the Ryukyu court. The ruins are one of nine sites inscribed on the World Heritage List in December 2000 as the “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.” This historic gusuku is located on the Motobu Peninsula in the north of Okinawa Island.
Another way to explore the past is to visit Nakijin Village History and Culture Center. Its permanent exhibitions cover the village’s history, settlements and communities, as well as local life and culture. Finds from Nakijin Castle are also on display. Check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.
Beaches and Waterside Activities
Uppama is a white-sand beach about one kilometer long. According to the tourism association, it is free to use even if you are not staying at the adjacent hotel; marine leisure activities are available for a fee. Activities listed at the beach include dragon boat rides and jet skiing. Naganaato offers a different experience: the nearly straight beach is about 300 meters long, with a broad sandy area and many visible pieces of coral.
A mangrove kayaking course offered by Nakijin Umibe Nature School is listed as lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a minimum age of three. The tide affects what you can see along the way: at low tide, you may spot fiddler crabs and mudskippers; at high tide, the tour goes through a bay. These differences provide a practical guide when planning your time on the water. Check the details of the offering before you travel.
Festivals, Village Life and Local Products
Nakijin’s traditional Hōnen Festival takes place annually or every two years. It is held to pray for a bountiful harvest and give thanks for the harvest. The festival includes Eisa and lion dances performed by dancers in colorful costumes. Stalls sell local agricultural products and handmade crafts. Specific event dates are not provided.
The landscape of Imadomari also tells the story of settlement: Fukugi tree avenues planted as windbreaks against northerly winds and typhoons have been preserved there. Numerous traditional houses continue to define the appearance of the settlement. A guided sightseeing tour may also include dyeing experiences using plants and soil from the village. You can decorate tote bags, tenugui towels, T-shirts and scarves using indigo, soil and plant dyes.
Nakijin watermelon is one of the region’s specialties. Near the village office are the tourism association and Nakijin no Eki Sore roadside station, which has a shop and restaurant; there are also cafés and restaurants in the surrounding area.
Getting There and Other Highlights
The ruins of Nakijin Castle are accessible by bus. From the Nakijin Castle bus stop, it is a zero-minute walk; from the Nakijin Castle Entrance bus stop, it is about a 15-minute walk. Bus routes and timetables may change, so check connections before your journey.
On a tour of Nakijin Shuzo, you can learn about awamori production and watch the actual process alongside employees. Check the visit details before you travel. This gives you a choice of different focuses for planning your visit: the castle’s history, the village’s cultural life, the coast or a look at awamori production.
Discover more destinations: Ie, Urasoe, Uruma, Nago, Nakagami District, Tomigusuku, Fuchaku, Miyakojima.
For the broader travel overview: Okinawa Prefecture.
