Begin your journey at Urasoe-Maeda Monorail Station, where your guide will lead you along the ancient Futenma pilgrimage path. Walk along stone-paved roads that whisper stories of centuries past.

Visit the Urasoe Gusuku and Youdore Museum, which offers a valuable introduction to the Ryukyuan royal tomb complex and the castle ruins. Gain insight into the life and reign of King Shō Nei—the last Urasoe-based monarch—who sought diplomacy in times of foreign encroachment and later became a symbol of resilience and humility in Okinawan memory.

Proceed through the Kurashin Gate to Youdore itself, a serene and sacred cliffside mausoleum where kings of the early Ryukyu Kingdom were laid to rest. Unlike the grandeur of imperial mausoleums in other cultures, Youdore is a solemn, harmonious space that reflects Okinawan ideals of reverence and connection with the earth.

After visiting the tomb, ascend toward the Urasoe Castle ruins. The path leads you past the Maeda Escarpment (Maeda Kōchi), known internationally as “Hacksaw Ridge,” one of the fiercest battlegrounds of the Battle of Okinawa. Amidst the peaceful greenery lie scars of war—tunnels, shelters, and stories of sacrifice that remind us of Okinawa’s role as the only civilian battlefield in Japan during WWII.

At the top of the ridge, your guide will explain the structure and symbolic significance of the castle’s main hall, or seiden, and how Urasoe Castle once stood as the spiritual and political capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom before the rise of Shuri. From the walls of the castle, enjoy sweeping views of the coast and city below—an ideal moment to reflect on the resilience and continuity of Okinawan culture.