Hamagaa Ugan Ruins (Chatan Worship Site)

So the in-laws and I had some extra time between Christmas shopping and meeting up with Z, so we decided to check out some hidden sites I found on Okinawa Hai while the kid was sleeping in the car and they were in the PX purusing merchandise.

One of these sites was the Hamagaa Ugan Ruins.  It was a nice 5-10 minute stop right next to Kadena Gate 1.  A surprisingly peaceful spot right next to a very busy road.

The following information is from a sign posted at this prayer site:

The Hamagaa Ugan Ruins were designated as a Cultural Asset / Historic Site located within Chatan Town on March 26, 2004.

The Hamagaa Ugan is a place of worship made at the foot of a limestone rock.  It is called Shimamori Yoriage no Taki (holy name: Ishi no Oibe) in the Ryukyu-koku Yuraiki, 1713 (Historical records of the Kingdom of the Ryukyus).

A tomb of a fuedal lord is located to its east.

The worship area and a large Akou tree (Ficus superba Mig. var. Japonica Miq) are found to the south.  In the worship area, there is a small house-shaped limestone shrine with a Yosumune-style hip roof and three incense burners.

The Shimakusarasaa, a ritual held in lunar February to prevent evil from entering the community, and the Kami-Ushiimii, a ritual to pray to gods held in lunar March, were held here before the war.

The Twun no Kami and Ryuuguu Shin deities are also enshrined in the south side of the premises.

A shell mound dating from the 8th to 10th centuries is found north of the Hamagaa Ugan.  It is believed that refuse was di

scarded from the top of the hill, presenting the possibility that a worship area might have existed on the top.  Excavation of this site is considered required.  A similar ruin known as Agigitara shell mound is found in Izena Village.

Directions:

This location is at the intersection of the 58 and 23. right before Kadena Gate 1. At that intersection is a store called “Music Lab”. In the back is a parking lot, and if you park there, you can’t miss the tree. You can see the tree from 58.

If you are traveling north on 58, simply turn into the Music Lab parking lot and go to the back.

 If you are traveling south on 58, turn right at the light right past the 23. Then take your first right and drive down the road a little bit. You’ll see the back entrance of the music store and the tree on your right.

Zakimi Castle

Zakimi Castle is one of the 9 World Heritage Sites on island.  Near Cape Zampa (Zanpa), one could make a day trip out of these two locations.  The castle itself is small and only takes about an hour to explore.

The castle was built by Gosamaru in the early 15th century.  He helped unite the many waring kingdoms of Okinawa and the other islands under one rule.  For his loyalty and bravery, Gosamaru was declared Lord of Zakimi Castle, where he kept a watchful eye on the warlords to the North.

Nakijin Castle Illumination Festival

The Nakijin Illumination festival was well worth the drive.  A little farther North than the Churaumi Aquarium, the Nakijin Castle ruins were lit up with thousands of colored lights.  This is the only time of year where the castle is open to visitors at night.  The festival is complete with food, music, dancing, and a dramatic play.  You can tour the ruins and visit the site museum as well.  As an added bonus, the festival occurs at the time of year when the cherry blossoms trees are in full bloom. 

Nakijin Castle itself is one of nine world heritage sites on island.  The multi-level castle was built in the late 1200's.  During the Sanzan Period (1322-1429), Okinawa Honto (the main island) was divided into three kingdoms: the Hokuzan (North), Chuzan (Central), and the Nanzan (South).

Nakijin served as the castle of the Hokuzan king until it was taken over by the Chuzan on their way to unifying the island and forming the Ryukyu Kingdom.  The Hokuzan king and his senior leaders then committed suicide.  Nakijin Castle continued to serve as the kingdom’s northern outpost for more than 200 years.

Today, Nakijin Castle is an active archeological excavation site.