is a Ryukyuan ''

gusuku often refers to castles or fortresses in the Ryukyu Islands that feature stone walls. However, the origin and essence of ''gusuku'' remain controversial. In the archaeology of Okinawa Prefecture, the ''Gusuku period'' refers to an archaeological ...

'' in Uruma, Okinawa. It sits on a cliff that separates Iha from Ishikawa, with a grand view of the Ishikawa Isthmus. The castle is in

ruins Ruins () are the remains of a civilization's architecture. The term refers to formerly intact structures that have fallen into a state of partial or total disrepair over time due to a variety of factors, such as lack of maintenance, deliberate ...

, with nothing left of the original structures save the walls. There are also multiple Ryukyuan shrines in the bailey. Based on artifacts found in and around the castle, it has been estimated to have been in use around the 13th to 15th centuries.Flemming, Michael. "Iha Castle Ruins - An Okinawa prefecture cultural asset." Stars and Stripes Okinawa Nov 2013, n. pag. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. . The Okinawa Prefectural government erected a stone

Torii A is a traditional culture of Japan, Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred, and a spot where kami are welcomed and thought to ...

in front of one of the castle gates, along with a plaque describing it. File:Iha Castle Bailey from a Battlement.jpg, View of the bailey from a battlement. File:Bailey of Iha Castle.jpg, Bailey of Iha Castle. File:Iha Castle Battlement from the Bailey.jpg, A battlement of Iha Castle.

References

Castles in Okinawa Prefecture Designated historic sites of Okinawa Prefecture {{castle-stub