Nakijin Castle Ruins sit in northern Okinawa and served as the stronghold of the Hokuzan king in the 14th and 15th centuries, later becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the ramparts beside the cliff, visitors look down over the blue sea, and from late January to early February the site shows deep pink cherry blossoms along with nighttime illumination. Tickets are bought at the ticket office and handed in at the castle entrance, with signposts, information boards, and several parking areas throughout. An admission fee is charged, which at first feels expensive.