"Gushikawa Castle Ruins" is the southernmost castle ruin on Okinawa Island, located in Kiyan, Itoman City.
Okinawa has many castle ruins, but few are as close to the sea as Gushikawa Castle Ruins. It can be enjoyed not only as a castle ruin but also as a scenic spot.
Although it is a nationally designated cultural property, it is not visited by many people, making it a truly hidden gem.
This article will introduce the history and access to the Gushikawa Castle ruins.

1. How to get to Gushikawa Castle Ruins

The ruins of Gushikawa Castle are located in Kiyan, Itoman City, very close to Cape Kiyan, which is almost the southernmost point of Okinawa Island.
If you drive along following the signs to Cape Kyan, you'll see it just before you reach the cape.
There used to be a regular bus service, but it has been discontinued, so you basically need to go by private car or other means of transportation. However, if you make a reservation, you can also use Itoman City's community bus, "Ito-chan mini".

There is also a simple parking area that can accommodate more than 10 cars.

Previously, there have been complaints from nearby residents due to improper parking, so please park properly in the designated parking area and avoid parking on the street.

2. Walking around the ruins of Gushikawa Castle

The ruins of Gushikawa Castle, built on a cliff in Kiyan, Itoman City, are said to be the site where the lord of "Gushikawa Castle" on Kumejima Island fled to this location on the main island when he was attacked, and built a castle of the same name, "Gushikawa Castle."
The ruins of Gushikawa Castle are located at the end of a small path along a farm road, but the path to the castle ruins stretches straight ahead, creating an exciting atmosphere right from the entrance.

As you continue down the road, you'll see the ruins of a castle with stone walls and the vast horizon stretching out before you.

The view to the distance is excellent, but you can't see down the cliff.
Evidence remains of a structure built to allow for surveillance of the cliff below, enabling people to climb onto the top of the stone wall to keep watch and detect intrusions from below.
The stone walls surrounding the cape's enclosure differ in height and width from east to west, which appears to be a design choice to improve visibility and strengthen watchtowers.
Furthermore, the way this stone wall blends beautifully with the exterior suggests that scaffolding may have been erected on the cliff face at the time, and the stones were built from the outside.
This kind of information is usually accompanied by explanations, so please check them out.

At the Gushikawa Castle ruins, there is a hole called Hifuchimi (fire-breathing hole) within the castle grounds.

Although it's currently overgrown with weeds and the inside isn't visible, it's said that the interior was hollow and led to the sea.
It is believed to have been used for lifting and lowering goods, and as an evacuation route.
As you can see from these various ingenious features, the ruins of Gushikawa Castle are located right on the sea, as mentioned earlier.
It's also an excellent spot to enjoy the scenery.
Since it's on the west coast, you can also enjoy the sunset, so I recommend visiting at dusk.

3. Swimming is prohibited in the tide pools at the Gushikawa Castle ruins.

Some people may be researching the Gushikawa Castle ruins specifically to see the tide pools, but due to poor manners and safety concerns, swimming is currently prohibited.
We've received many complaints from neighboring residents, so please be sure to follow the rules and manners.

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