Amawari Park is a multi-purpose complex located across the street from the Katsuren Castle ruins in Uruma City, in the central area of ​​Okinawa. It is a spot where visitors can learn about the history of Katsuren Castle and Amawari, known as the "last lord of the castle," from various perspectives.

The word "learning" can often sound rather rigid, but this facility offers an entertaining experience with its large-screen animations about Katsuren Castle Ruins and Amawari, as well as live performances.

This article will cover the permanent exhibition rooms and admission fees at Amawari Park, as well as the tourist information center and Uruma-ru, a shop selling local products from Uruma City!

1. Who was Amawari? | Hero? Rebel?

Amawari was the 10th lord of Katsuren Castle. He is known for bringing prosperity to the surrounding area through overseas trade. However, his historical evaluation is sharply divided based on the surviving documents.

Historical records such as the "Chuzan Seifu," compiled by the Shuri royal government, portray him as a traitor. On the other hand, the "Omoro Sōshi," considered the oldest collection of Ryukyuan songs, positions him as a hero.

Was he a hero? Or a rebel? The evaluation will likely change greatly depending on which source you consult. However, Amawari Park presents the remaining records as they are, leaving it up to the visitors to decide how they feel about him.

Such diametrically opposed assessments make you want to learn more about Amawari and explore history further, wondering, "What kind of person was Amawari?"

2. How to get around Amawari Park

Amawari Park began with the "historical and cultural facilities" that opened in 2021, and plans to open "food and beverage/retail areas" and "park areas" in the future.

Currently, there are three facilities in operation: a historical and cultural center, a tourist information center, and "Urumaaru," which sells local products from Uruma City. Even now, it's a great place to learn about the ruins of Katsuren Castle and Amawari, and to experience the charm of Uruma City firsthand, but it feels like it's going to get even more interesting...!

Until then, a recommended way to explore Uruma City is to learn about its history and culture at historical and cultural facilities, ask for recommendations on places to visit at the tourist information center, and buy local products at Uruma-ru.

2-1.Permanent exhibition room

The "Permanent Exhibition Room" is a historical and cultural facility that can be considered the heart of Amawari Park. In the center, there is seating facing a large screen, and a U-shaped corridor surrounding it introduces the ruins of Katsuren Castle and Amawari.

Despite the large amount of information, it is neatly organized and features abundant use of illustrations and photographs. It shows a clear effort to convey the often dry subject of "history and culture" in an easy-to-understand way.

The "excavated artifacts" found at the Katsuren Castle ruins are also a point of interest. The discovery of Chinese coins and Thai pottery makes one reflect on the extensive international exchanges that must have taken place there.

However, this is where Amawari Park's unique approach comes in. The videos and animations playing on the large screen in the center of the exhibition room are really interesting.

The anime features Toru Furuya, who voiced Amuro in Gundam, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail. It concisely summarizes Katsuren Castle and Amawari, making it easy to watch, so it's recommended to watch this anime first when visiting the site. It will change how you view the exhibits and the Katsuren Castle ruins.

On weekends and holidays, there are live performances by local junior and senior high school students who appear in the modern version of Kumiodori (Okinawan traditional dance-drama) "Kimutaka no Amawari." Apparently, some customers come just to see this performance.

History and culture are subjects that I, someone who dislikes studying, tend to avoid, thinking, "I've had enough. I'm tired of looking at text..." However, this area introduces history and culture from various perspectives, stimulating curiosity.

2-2. Tourist Information Center and Uruma City Specialty Products Shop Uruma-ru

The tourist information center and Uruma-ru, located about a minute's walk from the historical and cultural facilities, are also worth a visit. Both facilities are located within the same building.

The tourist information center has a wide selection of brochures introducing Uruma City, and you can get "first-hand information about Uruma City" from the staff who are always there. It might be a good idea to get some recommendations here and then explore Uruma City.

At Uruma-ru, a compact space is packed with specialty products from Uruma City. While you can find products unique to Uruma City, such as those made with Nuchimaasu salt and Tsuken carrots, the most popular item is the "castle stamp," which is like a temple stamp.

Apparently, some castles throughout Japan offer "castle stamps" as proof of visitor status, and the one at Katsuren Castle Ruins is said to be quite popular. Getting a castle stamp as a souvenir sounds like a fun idea.

3. Admission fee to Amawari Park

At Amawari Park's historical and cultural facilities, there is an admission fee to view the "Permanent Exhibition Room." The system involves paying the admission fee (adults: ¥400, children: ¥200) at the "ticket vending machine" immediately visible upon entering the facility.

Additionally, Katsuren Castle Ruins, which was previously free to enter, now also charges an entrance fee, which is paid via ticket vending machines. The fee for adults is ¥600 and for children is ¥400, and includes admission to the permanent exhibition rooms.

By the way, even if you only want to visit Katsuren Castle, please use the Amawari Park parking lot.
The parking lot at the foot of Katsuren Castle is reserved for tour buses and has priority parking.
It's about a 3-minute walk from Amawari Park to the Katsuren Castle Ruins, and the ruins themselves have many slopes and stairs, so please wear comfortable shoes and take precautions against sunburn before you go.

4. Conclusion

Amawari Park offers a glimpse into the history and culture of Uruma City, including the ruins of Amawari and Katsuren Castle. More than just a place to learn, it's a highly entertaining spot where you can enjoy learning about history. Why not combine a visit to Amawari Park with a trip to Katsuren Castle to experience the romance of history?