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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Uruma
うるま市
Half a day for the castle ruins and coast, or a full day if you hike Mount Ishikawa. Not a base — sleep in Naha or Okinawa City.
Uruma sits on the east coast of Okinawa Island, 30 minutes north of Naha. Its main draw is Katsuren Castle, a hilltop Gusuku ruin with sea views, plus the quieter Agena Castle park and a short hike up Mount Ishikawa. Most visitors pass through on a day trip from Naha or Okinawa City.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- うるま市
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Sep (typhoon season), Jan–Feb (cooler but still mild)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–15,000 excl. bed · High ¥15,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) 050-3816-2787
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Katsuren Castle entry | Free |
| Bus from Naha to Uruma (one way) | ¥700–900 (check) |
| Taxi Naha to Katsuren Castle | ¥4,000–5,500 |
| Bottle of water | ¥100–150 |
| Okinawan soba bowl | ¥700–1,200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- OKA · Naha Airport
- About 40 min by car or bus via Route 329; check bus schedules.
Typical fares
- Naha Airport → Uruma by car
- about 40 min, toll road ¥500–700 (check)
- Naha → Katsuren Castle by bus
- about 50 min, ¥700–900 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is easiest — parking at the castle and park is free. Local buses (e.g. Okinawa Bus routes) connect Urumu to Naha and Okinawa City but run infrequently. Taxis are available but limited.
See and do
Known for
- Katsuren Castle ruins
- Agena Castle park
- Mount Ishikawa hike
- Coastal views of the Pacific
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Katsuren Castle | Car or taxi from Naha, about 30 min; bus check | About 40 min |
| Agena Castle Park | Car from Katsuren Castle, about 15 min | About 20 min |
| Mount Ishikawa | Car from Uruma centre, about 10 min; trailhead parking | About 15 min |
Sleep
- Naha
- 30 min south; most accommodation and dining options.
- Okinawa City
- 15–20 min west; American Village area with hotels and restaurants.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうarigatō |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
| I don't understand | わかりませんwakarimasen |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Katsuren Castle has steep paths and no shade: bring water and a hat.
- Mount Ishikawa trail can be overgrown after rain; wear sturdy shoes.
- Few restaurants or shops in the castle area — eat before or bring food.
Uruma is safe for tourists. Watch for heatstroke in summer, and check typhoon forecasts July–September. Roads are narrow in places; drive carefully.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Uruma yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Katsuren Castle ruins
- Agena Castle park
- Mount Ishikawa hike
- Coastal views of the Pacific
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Uruma City official website: www.city.uruma.lg.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Uruma, revision 4987703 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4987703
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Urumaうるま市
この住所までお願いします
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
The US consulate in Naha handles most consular needs; other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/uruma). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.