Muslim Friendly Japan
Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

UNESCO World Heritage

中城城跡

Nakagusuku Castle Ruins stand on a hilltop facing the sea in central Okinawa. The castle was the base of Gosamaru, a loyal commander of King Sho Taikyu, and it was built to defend against Lord Amawari of Katsuren Castle. It has six enclosures built in stages with different stone-wall techniques, including smooth walls of fitted cut stones. Many people come here to see the first sunrise of the New Year. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu".

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Visitor information

Opening hours

Admission 8:30–17:00 (until 18:00 from May to September). The gates close 30 minutes after admission ends.

Closed

Open all year, but visits may be limited without notice due to weather, site work or events.

Admission

Adult 500 yen (from April 1, 2025), junior high/high school 300 yen, elementary 200 yen; preschool children with a guardian free.

Getting there

Bus from Naha Bus Terminal to Nakagusuku Shogakko-mae takes about 50 minutes, then about 30 minutes on foot (or 5 minutes by taxi).

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

  • Wheelchairs and strollers cannot be used inside; none are lent. There is an accessible toilet.
  • Disability certificate holders: one caregiver also enters free (show the certificate).

Tips for Muslim visitors

  • The castle has sacred places of prayer that people still use for worship today; visitors may simply look around.
  • Do not dispose of rubbish on the grounds; please take your trash home.
  • Inside many castle keeps you take off your shoes and climb steep, narrow wooden stairs. Wear socks and clothing that is comfortable for climbing.
  • Castle grounds are large. Plan a prayer stop before or after your visit at one of the places to pray listed below.
  • Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Okinawa and the verified places to pray nearby.
  • Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.

Prayer times in Okinawa

Today (5 Nov 2026)

  1. Fajr05:13
  2. Sunrise06:41
  3. Dhuhr12:15
  4. Asr15:22
  5. Maghrib17:45
  6. Isha19:03

Times are calculated for Naha. Times may differ elsewhere in Okinawa.

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Places to pray near Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

All places to pray in Okinawa →

Halal food near Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

We have not verified a halal restaurant near here yet. Until then, these guides can help you choose food safely:

Distances and walking times are estimates based on straight-line distance.

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Map

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Photo: MaedaAkihiko, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sources (Checked 5 Nov 2026): nakagusuku-jo.jp, visitokinawajapan.com, pref.okinawa.jp