Zakimi Castle, a World Heritage Site, is a short drive from Kadena Air Base. Take an easy stroll around the castle ruins built in the 1400’s, experience panorama views of the island and coast line, and visit a history / cultural museum for a small fee.
Zakimi Castle Wall is one of only two castle walls you can walk across the top in certain areas. The arch is also considered one of the oldest historical arches in Okinawa.
If you want a longer adventure, take the tree-top hike through the adjoining jungle. This hike is approximately 1.5 miles, but can be moderately strenuous through a series of wooden boardwalks up and down through the tree tops.
Plan your visit
How long to Stay
- [1 hr] Castle Only
- [2.5 hr] Castle + Treetop Hike + Museum
Learn more about the castle ruins at the featured pages on Visit Okinawa Japan and Japan Guide.
What to Expect
This outdoor adventure has a lot of walking, most of it up-hill to the ruins from the parking lot. The paths are mostly paved, though when you get to the ruins the paving ends and the terrain is uneven. There are stairs up to each level of the ruins and to the top of the wall.
Stroller accessible along the paved paths.
There are bathrooms on site at the parking lots, but not at the castle ruins.
If you do the tree top hike, there are many steep stairs. They may be a little slick if it has rained recently.
What to bring
- Good walking shoes.
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Bug spray – if doing Tree Top Hike
- Yen as admission to the museum is a small fee.
How to Get there
Follow Google Maps to one of the two parking lots on site.
This parking lot is larger and usually has a lot of parking. There is a restroom facility attached to the parking lot, but getting to the castle is a bit of an uphill walk. You’ll go past several open areas for picnicking and a pretty overlook on your way to the ruins.
This parking lot is smaller and closer but closer to the ruins and the museum.
Photography
There are many beautiful places for pictures here – both selfies for your personal memory or landscape. Keep an eye out for these places:
- Overlook heading from the parking lot to the ruins
- Standing on the walls of the ruins looking into the first level
- Standing on the walls of the ruins
- Along the outside of the ruins
Love this location?
Consider having portraits created here so you can always remember the memories you’ve made at this unique historical treasure.
