Sight guide · Okinawa · Japan
Visiting Zakimi Castle
Built in the early 15th century by the general Gosamaru, Zakimi's gracefully curved walls and early arched gateways are among the oldest in Okinawa.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA - Johnson Space Center. "The Gateway to Astron, Public domain
Quick answer
Zakimi Castle is a castle in Yomitan, Okinawa. Allow 45 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Castle
- Area
- Yomitan
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, free, views and off the beaten path
- Best months
- April and October–November
About Zakimi Castle
Built in the early 15th century by the general Gosamaru, Zakimi's gracefully curved walls and early arched gateways are among the oldest in Okinawa. The grounds are free and quiet, with views over Yomitan to the sea.
Tip: Walk the top of the walls at sunset, then visit the Yachimun no Sato pottery village a short drive away.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Yomitan, quiet west-coast villages with potters, Zakimi Castle and Cape Zanpa.
Best time to visit Zakimi Castle
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- October: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-November the sun sets at about 17:40 local time (calculated for Okinawa).
When to visit Okinawa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Zakimi Castle is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Shuri Castle.
- No. 12 of the 18 sights in our Okinawa things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Okinawa.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Okinawa.
If you like Zakimi Castle
- Shuri Castle — Naha (Kokusai-dori), 2 hours
- Tsuboya Yachimun Street — Naha (Kokusai-dori), 1 hour
- Okinawa Peace Memorial Park — Nanjo and the south, 2 hours
- Nakagusuku Castle — Okinawa City (Koza), 1 hour
Staying near Zakimi Castle
Stay in Yomitan ($$$) to walk here: quiet west-coast villages with potters, Zakimi Castle and Cape Zanpa. All areas to stay in Okinawa.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Zakimi Castle?
Plan 45 minutes.
+Is Zakimi Castle free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Zakimi Castle?
April and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Walk the top of the walls at sunset, then visit the Yachimun no Sato pottery village a short drive away.
+Do I need to book Zakimi Castle in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.