Thinking of the history of Okinawa, only the period of after around the war is emphasized and what had happened before 19th century isn't so well-known to people who live in Japan's mainland. Four castle ruins were designated World Heritage Sites recently, even that is not familiar to people from the mainland. I was going to visit all of them and the Zakimi Castle Ruin is one of them. It is located at the top of a hill, so anti-aircraft guns were instated during the war and the U.S. radar site was placed there after the war. The ruin, however, was renovated in 1980s.
The castle is said to have been built in the early 15th century, but neither the building itself nor documented records remain. The accurate appearance of the castle is apparently still unknown. Its stone walls and several stones which were used for the basis of the posts told me about the then flourishing culture. I came across a group of a guided tour and I walked in the grounds with them. I was lucky to be able to listen to their guide.
When I stood on the wall, I was able to see around the hill far away in the comfortable breeze of Okinawa, and the scenery reminded me of the next spot which I would drop in at. It was the Zanpa Misaki Cape which is well-known as the viewing spot of the most beautiful sunset in Okinawa.
(Vocabulary)
instate 〈人を〉〔地位などに〕任ずる，つかせる
to install sb in office; to establish
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