Nakijin Castle Ruins (Nakijin-jo)

Nakijin Castle has a long history as the primary defensive bastion of Hokuzan, the northern principality or kingdom of Okinawa.  The fortification was constructed during the 13th Century AD protected by a cliff on one side in the steep hills just west of the natural harbor of Unten.  Seized by Chuzan in 1416, the fall of Nakijin Castle heralded the end of the northern principality of Hokuzan six years later.  Chuzan would go on to consolidate all three principalities by 1429 and founding the Sho Dynasty ruling the Kingdom of Ryukyu.  Nakijin Castle would again feature prominently in Okinawa's rich history when 3,000 samurai from the Shimazu clan in Southern Kyushu, successfully invaded the island in 1609.  Nakijin fell to the Japanese after a sharp battle and, following a short campaign, Okinawa, or the Kingdom of Ryukyu, lost its independence forever.  The beautiful restoration of the Nakijin Castle ruins began in the 1960s and continues to this day.  What follows are some of my pictures of this must-visit Okinawan site.