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2025/04/04 - 2025/04/11
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[Okinawa Driving Course] A trip to visit World Heritage sites and learn about history!
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![[Okinawa Driving Course] A trip to visit World Heritage sites and learn about history!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2024/05/20-180689.webp)
Tour the castle ruins of Nakagusuku, Katsuren, and Zakimi, which are located in the central part of the island and offer magnificent views, and reminisce about the historical romance of the Ryukyu Kingdom era. After enjoying the great outdoors of Yanbaru, visit the ruins of Nakijin Castle, a World Heritage Site at the northernmost point of the main island, and cross over to Sesoko Island, surrounded by clear waters.
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"Tabirai" is managed by Pam, a group specializing in Japanese tours and travel.Tabirai is a Japan tour and travel booking site established in 2003. As of now, at least 13 million users visit the site annually and at least 400,000 bookings are made every year.
Required time
Distance: Approximately 134km one way, Travel time: Approximately 3 hours 16 minutes one way
Transportation
Car
Tour the world heritage sites that the Ryukyu Islands are proud of - Drive from the central to northern parts of the island while visiting the ancient castles scattered throughout the area -
![[Okinawa Driving Course] A trip to visit World Heritage sites and learn about history!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2024/05/23-181231.webp)
Tour the castle ruins of Nakagusuku, Katsuren, and Zakimi, which all offer magnificent views, and enjoy the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. After enjoying the great outdoors of Yanbaru, visit the ruins of Nakijin Castle, a World Heritage Site at the northernmost point of the main island, and cross over to Sesoko Island, surrounded by clear waters.
Driving course departing from Naha Airport
1
Naha Airport
Naha Airport is easily accessible from the center of Naha city, about 10 minutes by monorail or car.
The rental car information center is located at the arrivals gate on the first floor of the airport, and there are many other locations within a 10-minute drive. The system is to take the shuttle bus of each rental car company waiting in the airport arrivals lobby to the office, complete the procedure, and then rent a car.
Route to the next spot: National Route 331, Prefectural Route 231, Naha Airport Expressway, Naha Airport Expressway (Haebaru Road), Okinawa Expressway, Prefectural Route 146 Distance: Approximately 31.4 km Time required: Approximately 41 minutes
2
Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
This castle is said to have been built in the first half of the 15th century and is registered as a World Heritage Site.
The castle's construction techniques are so advanced that they have been described as "artistic," and it is said that Commodore Perry was amazed when he visited here in 1853.
Not only are the castle walls magnificent, but the view of the Pacific Ocean from inside the castle is also captivating.
Route to the next spot: Prefectural Route 146, Prefectural Route 81, Prefectural Route 227, Prefectural Route 16 Distance: Approximately 14.6 km Time required: Approximately 29 minutes
3
Katsuren Castle Ruins
Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, it is said to be the oldest of Okinawa's Gusuku castles that are registered as World Heritage Sites. Although it is located on the east coast of Okinawa's main island, the curved castle walls look beautiful when illuminated by the setting sun.
Route to the next spot: Prefectural Route 16, Prefectural Route 33, Prefectural Route 85, Prefectural Route 74, National Route 58 Distance: Approximately 21 km Time required: Approximately 42 minutes
4
Zakimi Castle Ruins
This castle was built in the early 15th century, and is registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the "Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu" along with the remains of Shuri Castle. The castle as a whole has a well-balanced shape, and is one of the most beautiful castles in Okinawa.
Route to the next spot: National Route 58, Prefectural Route 71, National Route 505 Distance: Approximately 64 km Time required: Approximately 1 hour 12 minutes
5
Nakijin Castle Ruins
Built in the 14th century before the establishment of the Ryukyu Kingdom, it was the castle of the Hokuzan kings and is designated as a national historic site.
It measures 350 meters north to south, 800 meters east to west, and has an area of 37,000 square meters, making it one of the largest castles in the prefecture.
Route to the next spot: National Route 505 (Motobu Loop Line), Prefectural Route 172 Distance: Approximately 12 km Time required: Approximately 28 minutes
6
Sesoko Island
It is especially known for the beauty of its ocean, and the view of the East China Sea from Sesoko Ohashi Bridge is impressive. Just by looking down from the foot of the bridge, you can see the white sand beach, the emerald green ocean, and Iejima Tatsumi with your very own eyes.
Spots introduced in this itinerary
"Tabirai" is managed by Pam, a group specializing in Japanese tours and travel.Tabirai is a Japan tour and travel booking site established in 2003. As of now, at least 13 million users visit the site annually and at least 400,000 bookings are made every year.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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