SUI TAXI · WORLD HERITAGE
Zakimi Castle Gosamaru's Masterpiece.
World Heritage | Twin Arch Gate | Yachimun no Sato
Built by Gosamaru, Ryukyu's Most Beautiful Twin Arch Gate.
Zakimi Castle Ruins is a Ryukyuan gusuku (castle) site located in Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa. Built in the early 15th century by the lord Gosamaru, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 as part of the "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu." Situated on a hilltop in Yomitan Village in central Okinawa, it is approximately 50 minutes by car from Naha.
The main highlight is the oldest twin arch stone gate in Ryukyu. The arch gate was constructed using an elaborate masonry technique called "aikata-zumi" (interlocking stonework) without the use of any mortar, and it has maintained its form for over 600 years. It is highly regarded from an architectural history perspective as a masterpiece demonstrating Gosamaru's architectural sense and advanced masonry skills.
From the castle ruins, you can enjoy panoramic views of Yomitan Village's lush green hills and the East China Sea. Nearby is "Yachimun no Sato" (Pottery Village), a cluster of Okinawan pottery workshops, and a course combining the castle visit with traditional Okinawan crafts is popular. Yomitan Village also features concentrated tourist spots including Cape Zanpa and Murasaki Mura experience kingdom, making it an area you can fully enjoy over half a day to a full day.
Ryukyu's oldest twin arch stone gate. The refined "aikata-zumi" technique lives on to this day.
Highlights of Zakimi Castle
The two arch gates set in a row inside the castle are known as the oldest arch-style stone gates among Okinawa's gusuku. The curved lines of the stacked limestone speak to the level of civil engineering at the time of Gosamaru, and walking through the gates is in itself one of the highlights of a visit to Zakimi Castle.
The castle ruins sit on a hill at around 127 metres, and on a clear day you can take in the East China Sea horizon together with the greenery of Yomitan Village. At dusk the sky turns a deep red, which makes it an especially good time for photography. About 10 minutes by car from the castle is "Yachimun no Sato," a village of Okinawan pottery workshops and kilns where you can buy pieces on the spot, and we recommend pairing the two as part of the same visit.
Walk the top of the walls and the East China Sea and the Motobu Peninsula open up beyond the Ryukyu pines.
"Aikata-zumi" stone walls. Enduring over 600 years without mortar.
Getting to Zakimi Castle by Taxi
The estimated fare from Naha to Zakimi Castle (3-4 hours) starts from ¥21,000 (tax included, expressway tolls separate). The "Yomitan Course (4-5 hours)" covering Zakimi Castle + Yachimun no Sato + Cape Zanpa is approximately from ¥28,000. Castle viewing takes about 30-45 minutes. There are stone-paved slopes, so please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Zakimi Castle has free admission, making it an easy spot to visit. It can also be incorporated en route to Manzamo or Mihama American Village. Your driver will wait on site, allowing flexible adjustment of viewing time based on crowd conditions.
— Combining with Yachimun no Sato: At "Yachimun no Sato," about 10 minutes by car from the castle ruins, you can purchase traditional Okinawan crafts directly from the workshops. Your purchased pottery will be carefully stored, so even bulky items are no worry.
Zakimi Castle Tour Fares
| Plan | Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip charter from Naha (3–4 hours) | ¥21,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥4,200 per person. Expressway tolls and parking charged separately |
| Yomitan course (4–5 hours, with Yachimun no Sato and Zanpa Cape) | ¥28,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥5,600 per person. Expressway tolls, parking and admission charged separately |
| Naha Airport → hotels in Yomitan (transfer) | ¥14,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥2,800 per person. Expressway tolls included |
| hotels in Yomitan → Naha Airport (transfer) | ¥14,000〜 | Up to 5 guests per vehicle. From ¥2,800 per person. Expressway tolls included |
Charter fares are time-based at ¥7,000 per hour (¥3,500 per additional 30 minutes booked in advance). Extensions made after departure are ¥4,200 per 30 minutes. Admission, expressway tolls and parking are charged at cost. For charters of 6 hours or more we take a 30% deposit when you book, and the balance is paid on the day. Minimum booking times depend on where you start: from 3 hours in the south and central area, 4 hours in Onna Village and 6 hours in the north, and 8 hours for trips that cross between the south and the north. Where a long transfer is involved, the transfer fare for that stretch is the floor for the price.
Address
708-6 Zakimi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District
Opening Hours
8:30 - 18:00 (Open year-round)
Admission
Free
From Naha
Approx. 50 min via expressway
Access Information
| Location | 708-6 Zakimi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 18:00 (Open year-round) |
| Admission | Free |
| From Naha | Approx. 50 min via expressway (approx. 5 min from Okinawa Kita IC) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi from Naha to Zakimi Castle cost?
A round-trip charter of 3 to 4 hours starts from ¥21,000. That is the price for one Alphard carrying up to five guests, so with five people it works out from ¥4,200 each. Entry is free, so only expressway tolls and parking are added.
How long does the visit take?
Thirty to 40 minutes to walk the walls. Allow an hour if you want time on top of them looking out over Yomitan and the sea.
Can we really walk on the walls?
Yes. Some stretches have no railing, so watch your footing and keep back from the edge. The view along the curving wall is what makes this castle worth the trip.
What is special about the arch gate?
It is one of the older surviving stone arch gates on any Okinawan castle site, and the keystone is still in place. Look up as you pass under it.
Can we add Yachimun no Sato or Zanpa Cape?
Yes, five and 15 minutes away. All three make a 4 to 5 hour Yomitan course from ¥28,000.
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Recommended Combination Courses
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American Village
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Cape Manzamo
Elephant-nose rock and stunning East China Sea views.
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Cape Zanpa
Yomitan Village's cliffs and white lighthouse
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