Urasoe Castle
| Urasoe Castle 浦添城 | |
|---|---|
| Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan | |
Outer walls of Urasoe Castle | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Gusuku |
| Controlled by | Chūzan (late 13th century - 1429) Ryūkyū Kingdom (1429–1879) Empire of Japan (1879–1945) United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands (1945–1950) United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (1950–1972) Japan (1972–present) |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Location | |
| Site history | |
| Built | late 13th – early 14th century; later expanded and refurbished |
| In use | late 13th century – 1609 |
| Materials | Ryukyuan limestone, wood, ceramic roof tiles |
| Demolished | 1609 invasion of Ryukyu |
| Battles/wars | Invasion of Ryukyu (1609) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Kings of Chūzan, incl. Eiso (r. 1260–1299) |
Urasoe Castle (浦添城, Urasoe jō, Okinawan: Urashii Gushiku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku which served as the capital of the medieval Okinawan principality of Chūzan prior to the unification of the island into the Ryukyu Kingdom, and the moving of the capital to Shuri. In the 14th century, Urasoe was the largest castle on the island, but today only ruins remain.