Okinawa Travel: Katsuren Castle Ruins

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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Okinawa - Honto

Katsuren Castle Ruins

of 21 most visited sights
in Okinawa Island

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The Katsuren Castle Ruins sit on a steep hill close to the coast and offer attractive views over the landscape below. Just a few stone walls and foundations remain of the former castle. The site is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Katsuren Castle is most famous as the seat of Lord Amawari in the 15th century. According to legend, Amawari was a sickly child that got abandoned in the mountains to die. However, the child survived and grew into a powerful leader who defeated an oppressive lord and took over Katsuren Castle. Amawari's later attempt to attack Shuri Castle ended in failure and his death.

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How to get there

The Katsuren Castle Ruins are located in central Okinawa Honto in the middle of the Yokatsu Peninsula that juts out to the east of the island, about 25 kilometers northeast of Naha.

By bus

Take bus number 52 from Naha Bus Terminal to Katsuren Danchi-mae (勝連団地前, 100 minutes, 1210 yen, 1-2 buses/hour), from where the castle ruins can be reached in a five minute walk. Alternatively you can take bus number 27 to Nishihara bus stop (西原, 1-2 buses/hour), but the bus ride takes 20 minutes longer and the bus stop is a ten minute walk from the castle ruins.

By car

By car, it takes about one hour to reach the castle ruins from Naha if using the expressway between Naha and Okinawa Minami IC (400 yen one way).

How to get to and around Okinawa Honto

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Hours and Fees

Hours:	Always open
Closed:	No closing days
Admission:	Free

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Tours and Packages

Okinawa Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Okinawa.

User Ratings

Ratings for Katsuren Castle:

japan-guide.com Rating:		interesting
User Rating (by 25 users):	81/100	recommended

Best rated sights nationwide (out of 725):

308. Shirahama Beach (Izu Peninsula) 81/100

309. Yumoto Onsen (Nikko) 81/100

310. Amano Iwato Shrine (Takachiho) 81/100

311. Zojoji Temple (Tokyo) 81/100

312. Okinawa World (Okinawa Island) 81/100

313. Katsuren Castle (Okinawa Island) 81/100

314. Daitokuji Temple (Kyoto) 81/100

315. Hot Springs (Kinugawa Onsen) 81/100

316. Joeiji Temple (Yamaguchi) 81/100

317. Kofukuji Temple (Nara) 81/100

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572. Usuzan West Craters (Lake Toya) 49

573. Aizu Sake Museum (Aizu) 49

574. Katsuren Castle (Okinawa Island) 49

575. Nagashima Resort (Nagoya) 49

576. Amano Iwato Shrine (Takachiho) 48

577. Hachiman Castle (Gujo-Hachiman) 48

578. Shimizu Port (Shizuoka) 48

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Related Pages

Travel
Sightseeing
Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Honto

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World Heritage Sites

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