Page 291 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

indication of the original size
of Nakijin Castle. It was built
in the 14th century by King
Hokuzan, founder of the North STAY
Mountain Kingdom, an esoteric
and short-lived domain.
The entrance, with its flat Spice Motel Okinawa
stone ceiling, is still intact. Inspired by Hollywood,
Because the castle faced the this motel aims to
sacred island of Iheya, three recreate the classic
wooden shrines were built American 1950s style.
here to allow the local priest- ! F7 ⌂ 1066 Kishaba,
esses to conduct rituals, but Kitanakagusuku-son
none has survived. There Nakagami-gun,
are stunning views across Okinawa 901-2311
the East China Sea toward ∑ spicemotel.com
several other offshore islands 
including the Amami and
Yoron groups.
Villabu Resort
This luxury resort, just
15 minutes by boat from
w Miyako Island, makes
Cape Hedo for the
perfect retreat.
辺戸岬
! D3 ⌂ 817 Irabu Irabu,
! G6 ⌂ 31 miles (50 km) Miyakojima, Okinawa
a rare lightweight textile NE of Nago @ 67 from Nago 906-0503 ∑ villabu.jp
made of plantain fiber, which to Hentona
is used to make Okinawan 
kimonos. The stages involved The remote, northernmost
in producing this increasingly point of Okinawa Island is a
scarce linen can be seen at wild and breathtaking area of
the Bashofu Hall, a well- outstanding natural beauty
known workshop. and, mercifully, few tour passes through a number
buses. A grassy plateau of traditional villages, such
Bashofu Hall runs to the edge of a steep, as Ogimi, renowned for
⌂ 454 Kijoka § (0980) 44- 330-ft- (100-m-) high cliff, producing a unique pale
3033 # 10am–5:30pm Mon– beyond which are coral yellow bashofu cloth. A short
Sat (to 5pm Nov–Mar) reefs. The views of distant distance south of Hedo Point,
¢ Obon, Dec 29–Jan 3 Yoron, Iheya, and Izena the site of Uzahama-iseki
islands are magnificent. features the remains of
The road to Hedo Point a prehistoric settlement.
q "
Nakijin Castle Ruin
今帰仁城跡
! G6 ⌂ 11 miles (18 km) NW
of Nago @ 65 or 66 from
Nago or express from Naha
Airport to Nakijin-jo Ato
Iriguchi # 8am–6pm
daily (to 7pm May–Aug)
∑ nakijinjoseki.jp/en
The foundations, gate, and
4,900-ft (1,500-m) stretch of
remaining wall give some

The monumental stone
remains of the 14th-century
Nakijin Castle, near Nago
291

290-291_EW_Japan.indd 291 04/02/2019 14:54