Nakajin Gusuku

Okinawa’s Second Largest Castle

Okinawa’s castles are called gusuku.

Okinawa’s second largest castle after Shuri Castle is Nakajin Castle in Okinawa’s mid north. Nakajin Village is strategically located on the slopes of a hill, making use of natural defenses, such as a river, steep cliffs and deep valleys to ward off invaders. Okinawa’s gusuku castles were not just military installations, but contained special shrines known as Uganju, seen as sacred points of religious activity that continues to this day.