Okinawa travel guide

Shuri Castle is not a ruin, but a fully reconstructed castle with manicured walls and colourful wooden buildings - even the caretakers are dressed in historic costumes. Shuri was the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The original castle was built in the late 1300s, but wars and fires had it destroyed multiple times over the centuries. The current reconstruction is from 1992 and the new buildings are actually rised above the original ruins to protect them. Parts have been rebuilt in the original style, while others are more museum like.
Many consider Shuri Castle to be the crown jewel of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which also includes other historical sites on Okinawa from the Gusuku period (12th-15th century).

Todoroki Waterfall is one of the most easy-to-access waterfalls on Okinawa. It's only a few steps along a boardwalk from the parking lot. There are viewing platforms and a groomed park for picnics. The actual waterfall has three steps with a total height of 43 meters. There is a pool at the base of the fall for those in need of a refreshing dip.

Zakimi Castle is another castle ruins belonging to Okinawa's UNESCO enlisted Ryukyu sites. It was built in the early 15th century and is nested on a hilltop among pine trees. The neatly restored limestone walls have patches of plants growing on them, but otherwise it's a very manicured site. The interior can even seem a bit dreary with outline of a single building and green grass elsewhere. However, the stonework going into the two arched gates are truly impressive (apparently the first on Okinawa to use a keystone). You can walk on the massively wide walls, which offers splendid views of both the site and the outside area.