Ryukyu Castle Ruins and World Heritage by Car
A self-drive route linking Shuri Castle, Seifa Utaki and the castle ruins of Nakagusuku, Katsuren, Zakimi and Nakijin.
Centered on the Ryukyu Kingdom's World Heritage sites. On day one, see Shuri Castle, Shikina-en Garden and the Prefectural Museum in Naha. Then drive through the southern sacred sites and the Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, head north to the pottery village of Yomitan, the Zakimi Castle Ruins and the Nakijin Castle Ruins, and stay in Motobu. Finally, return to the airport via the Katsuren Castle Ruins and the Sea Road. Suited to repeat visitors interested in historic architecture. Little time at the beach.
The Nakijin Castle Ruins have cold-season cherry blossoms in January and February. In summer, the ruins are exposed to intense sun, so guard against heat.
Day by day
Day 1 · Shuri Castle and the Royal Gardens
Okinawa Main Island（Shuri Castle、Shuri Kinjo-cho Stone-paved Road、Shikinaen Garden、Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum）
Don't pick up the car today. Take the Yui Rail to Shuri Station and walk around the castle. Then take a bus or taxi about 10 minutes to Shikina-en, and return to downtown for the museum.
The Prefectural Museum is closed on Mondays. Entry to the main hall of Shuri Castle requires a reservation.
Stay: Naha
Day 2 · Southern Sacred Sites and Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
Okinawa Main Island（Sefa-utaki、Cape Chinen Park、Nakagusuku Castle Ruins）
Pick up the car and drive southeast for about 50 minutes to Seifa Utaki, then north for about 40 minutes to the Nakagusuku Castle Ruins. Return to Naha in about 30 minutes.
Stay: Naha
Day 3 · Yomitan and Heading North to Nakijin
Okinawa Main Island（Yachimun no Sato (Yomitan Pottery Village)） → Zakimi Castle Ruins → Okinawa Main Island（Nakijin Castle Ruins）
Drive north from Naha for about 1 hour to Yomitan to see the pottery village and the Zakimi Castle Ruins. Then follow the west coast for about 1.5 hours to Nakijin.
Stay: Motobu and Churaumi
Day 4 · Katsuren Castle Ruins and the Sea Road
Okinawa Main Island（Bise Fukugi Tree Road、Katsuren Castle Ruins、Kaichu Road & Seaside Station Ayahashi-kan）
Early in the morning, walk the fukugi tree-lined path, then take the expressway for about 1.5 hours to the Katsuren Castle Ruins and the Sea Road. Then drive about 1 hour back to the airport to return the car.
Leave plenty of time for car return and security. Traffic toward downtown can be heavy in the evening.