Indiana Jones Trail, Okinawa
Looking to do something adventurous? The Indiana Jones Trail in Okinawa has it all! Caves, climbing, and even castles are all on this short yet rewarding hike. The Indiana Jones Trail is a short 1.2 kilometer (0.8 mile) loop. But don’t let the length fool you, it’s a challenging hike with adventure and beauty around every corner!
There is a free and unpaved parking lot found at the base of the Tamagusukujo Castle Ruins.
From the parking lot, the Indiana Jones Trail can be accessed via the direction of the Education Center (large cement building adjacent from the castle ruins).
There are signs pointing hikers in the correct direction. The signs state Adventure Trail but I’ve heard the trail being called the “Indy Jones Adventure Trail“, “Indy Jones Trail”, or “Indiana Jones Trail”. I prefer to call it the Indiana Jones Trail since it’s easy to remember.
The Indiana Jones Trail is a 0.8 mile loop that begins and ends at the parking lot. The trail is primarily dirt and rock. There are a few steep sections of the trail with large rocks to climb over, ropes are provided for safety. Below the bluffs, there are a few small caves to walk through, watch your head!
I would also advise that habu (pit vipers) call this trail home, so like everywhere else in Okinawa, be careful and always be aware of your surroundings. I also recommend a good pair of hiking boots, comfortable clothes, sun protection, and water.
I’m not entirely sure how the trail got its name but I assume the caves, ropes, and sense of adventure left people feeling like one of our favorite fictional archaeologists and explorers, Indiana Jones!
GPS Coordinates for Parking lot: 26.1443305, 127.7816077
Trailhead Coordinates: 26.142912, 127.783253
The Indiana Jones Trail
We decided to hike the trail clockwise. In reality, it doesn’t matter which direction you hike. From the parking lot, we headed toward the large education center. We cut through the bottom of the education center and the trail began just on the other side. If you see the Blue “Adventure Course” sign, then you are headed in the correct direction.
There was a brief section of paved road before it turned into straight jungle hiking. It seemed impossible to get turned around on this course though as there was a guidance rope along most of the route.
Not far into the hike, we were guided through a couple caves. These caves were somewhat narrow and rocky but wide enough that no one should feel claustrophobic. The caves were small but large enough that stalactites, stalagmites, and even columns formed.
After hiking down through the caves, the trail started to ascend. We found ourselves face to face with a steep hill to climb full of medium sized boulders. Thankfully, ropes were provided in order to scale the boulders safely.
After conquering the boulders, we arrived at the bottom of two bluffs. This section of the Indiana Jones Trail was perhaps my favorite. Not because of the hike but because of the geography and environment surrounding us. in two places, there were trees with the roots fully uncovered and curved almost in a complete circle. After a minute of discussion, we concluded that the trees were rooted in at the top of the bluffs and toppled down to their current resting place. The picture below shows that the tree was likely anchored to a boulder that eventually gave way taking the tree with it. Although traumatic for the tree, it was still alive as new leaves grew from the branches. Nature is incredible!
We grabbed on to yet another rope to pull ourselves up the rocky trail to the top of the bluffs. From here the trail flattened out and was fairly easy until the end of the trail. After completing the 0.8 miles of trail, hikers are rewarded with a beautiful Ryukyu Castle, the Tamagusukujo Castle Ruins.
Tamagusukujo Castle Ruins
If hiking the Indy Jones Trail in a clockwise direction, the Tamagusuku Castle Ruins would be the final and main attraction on the hike. If hiking the opposite direction, this would obviously be the first stop. Since there is an open parking space at the foot of the castle ruins, many visitors come to see the castle without doing the hike, so there is that option as well.
Tamagusuku is Okinawa’s oldest castle. Oddly enough it is not included as one of Okinawa’s World Heritage Sites. Information on these ruins is scarce. The goddess, Amamikiyo is said to have created the islands of the Ryukyu Kingdom including Tamagusuku Castle. Because of the castles relationship with the goddess Amamikiyo, the castle was and still is a holy landmark. While undertaking pilgrimages toward the site of Sefa-Utaki, Tamagusuku Castle was a place of worship along the route.
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