Izena Castle

Izena, Okinawa, Japan, Japan

---

Izena Castle is a Ryūkyūan gusuku located on Izena Island in Okinawa, Japan, built around the 14th century by Samekawa, the son of the Yogura chief of nearby Iheya Island.

The castle is perched on a limestone outcrop about 100 meters above sea level on the southeastern side of the island. Known as one of the oldest castles in Okinawa, Izena Castle played an important role during the Gusuku period as a political and military center.

The gusuku’s walls are constructed from locally sourced coral limestone using traditional Ryukyuan masonry techniques. The castle is historically significant as it is associated with the ancestors of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s royal lineage, connecting to King Sho En who hailed from Izena Island. Today, the ruins of the castle attract visitors interested in Okinawa’s unique cultural heritage and history.​