Kazafu Ward
This ravine cuts through a natural outcropping of ruggedly stratified, gray ancient limestone, and forms part of the castle’s fortifications. The name comes from the local language, in which kaa or gaa refers to “river” or “spring,” and zafu means “valley.” There are not very many rivers in the islands of Okinawa, so springs like this have special significance.
The stone walls seem to imitate the irregular layers of the natural stone, and this ravine helps us understand why this site was chosen for the castle. The freshwater spring may have provided part of the castle’s water supply.