Nakagami District: Castle History, Craftsmanship and Coast

Nakagami District can be explored through a range of different themes: the castle history of Zakimi, Yomitan’s craftsmanship and the coastal destinations in Chatan. The Zakimi Castle Ruins combine an impressive hilltop setting with cultural history; in Chatan, Sunset Beach and Mihama American Village offer a different focus. This variety gives you concrete points of reference for tailoring your search for a vacation rental to the experiences you would like to put at the center of your stay.

Zakimi: Castle History on the Hill

The Zakimi Castle Ruins were built in the first half of the 15th century on a hill 127 meters high. From there, the view stretches across Okinawa’s west coast. On December 2, 2000, they were inscribed as one of the sites of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.” History, location and World Heritage status come together here in one place.

The ruins can be reached by car or bus. The bus ride from Naha Bus Terminal to the Takashiho Iriguchi stop takes about 80 minutes; from there, it is approximately a 20-minute walk to the entrance. These details give you an idea of the bus journey without presenting the travel time as an exact figure.

Under the regulations, visitors are permitted to stand on certain sections of the castle walls. Along with Nakagusuku, Zakimi is one of the only castles in Okinawa where this is possible. This is a limited permission for certain sections of the walls, not a statement about every part of the site.

The Yuntanza Museum is located on the grounds. It features local history, art and culture from Yomitan, as well as exhibitions about Okinawa’s World Heritage sites. Original objects, models and photographs convey the history and natural environment of Yomitan, as well as life before and after the war. The collection comprises almost 60,000 historical materials and works of art. In this way, themes of the landscape and everyday life complement the history of the castle.

Yomitan: Textiles, Ceramics and Sweet Potato

Yomitan is also shaped by traditional crafts. Yuntanza Hana-ui refers to a traditional textile woven in Yomitan. Yomitanzan-yaki, also called Yachimun, is the area’s traditional pottery. Those interested in local design will find two different forms of expression here: woven textiles and ceramics.

Akainko is also part of Yomitan’s cultural heritage: the area is considered his birthplace; Akainko is described as the founder of the sanshin and an important figure in the Ryūkyū arts. Another local specialty is beni-imo, the purple sweet potato. It is used to make a wide range of sweets. At Gala Aoiumi, American pizza, Mexican burritos and creative dishes made with seasonal ingredients are recommended.

Chatan: Sunset Beach and Mihama American Village

In Chatan, Mihama American Village combines a district designed to resemble an American town with a cinema complex and a pool. The district also includes a large shopping center and Okinawa Prefecture’s only Ferris wheel. Chatan Park Sunset Beach is next to American Village: its white sand and suitability for watching the sunset give the coastal area its own character.

The beach has a swimming area and a BBQ area used for beach parties. If you plan to use the BBQ area, confirm the current facilities with the operator. Sea activities are available in Chatan year-round; conditions and availability vary by provider. Chatan therefore offers both beach stays and a range of sea activities to consider, without assuming a particular service or activity.

Kitanakagusuku: Architectural History as Another Focus

The Nakamura House in Kitanakagusuku preserves characteristic features of Okinawa’s prewar residential architecture. A property as fully preserved as this one is extremely rare in Okinawa after the Battle of Okinawa and offers insights into the life of wealthy farmers at the time. This gives you a different focus when choosing an area than castles, museums or beaches: here, the history of a historic residence takes center stage.

When looking for a vacation rental in Nakagami District, your interests can be a starting point: castle history and a museum in Yomitan, crafts and local specialties, or coastal destinations in Chatan. Kitanakagusuku adds historic residential architecture to these options. Consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay, and choose your area accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Chatan, Kadena, Kitanakagusuku, Kunigami District, Yaeyama-Gun, Shimajiri District.

Back to the main travel overview: Okinawa Prefecture.