Culture
Shuri-jo Castle
Peter SidellA blend of Japanese and Chinese cultures, Shuri-jo castle was the seat of Ryukyuan royalty before the Okinawan islands became part of Japan, and is both striking and distinct.
Shuri Castle was built in the 14th century and was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was neglected for almost 400 years and suffered great damage during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After the war, the castle was used as a university campus, but from 1992 it was rebuilt through extensive reconstructions based on historical records and photographs.
The main buildings of Shuri Castle were destroyed by fire on the night of October 31, 2019. The government plans to reconstruct the Seiden (main hall) by autumn 2026. In the meantime, tourists are encouraged to visit the castle and watch the reconstruction work.
The castle served as the administrative center for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The castle is listed as one of the Ryukyu Kingdom's castles declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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The Seiden, or “West Hall,” is also called the State Palace. It was located east of the Una and faced west toward China. The Great Dragon pillars were crafted from sandstone and were symbolic of the king. These dragon motifs are replicated throughout the castle.
Together with 13 other gates, Shureimon Gate was the second ceremonial gate to the Shuri-jo Castle complex. Following the design concepts of the rest of the majority of the castle complexes, the gate also has a distinct Chinese feel to its structure.
Shuri-jo Castle was also home to several shrines (~utaki) and temples (~ji). Three of which played a role of significant importance to the functions of the castle. Kyo-no-uchi, where prayers by high priestesses were made; Sonohyan-utaki where the king prayed for order and safety; and the Suimi-utaki, which was supposedly created by the gods and is the theme of many songs and prayers in Ryukyu’s oldest music collection.
Royal stone gate used by the former King as a placer of prayer and exit of the castle grounds – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Shuri-jo Castle is a 5-minute walk from Shuri Station.
A blend of Japanese and Chinese cultures, Shuri-jo castle was the seat of Ryukyuan royalty before the Okinawan islands became part of Japan, and is both striking and distinct.
Shuri Jo Castle Park is an UNESCO World Heritage site and the capital of the proud Ryukyu empire.
Sonohyan Utaki was the stone gate used by the Ryukyuan King as a prayer point and exit when departing Shuri Castle. It is one of Okinawa's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The grandeur and romance of the Ryukyu Kingdom is best celebrated in the once a year Shurijo Castle Festival. The royals for the year, along with their Chinese envoys, were dressed in the traditional garb of this elegant period and make a public appearance at the castle.
Rainbow: Okinawa mansion and condominium rooms for rent
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APA Hotel, Naha. A mid range hotel in the centre of Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
Learning about Awamori Distillation in Naha's Shuri district
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Naminoue Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. It is located on a high cliff overlooking Naminoue Beach and the ocean. Any boat that enters and exits the trading base of Naha Port looks to the shrine on top of the high cliff and prays for a safe journey, the shrine has always been revered and people pray for a rich fish catch and a rich harvest as well. Each new year the king himself visited the shrine on behalf of his people to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation. The Naminoue Shrine is admired as the "" main shrine of the kingdom "". It was classified as a Kanpei-shousha (Shrine of National Significance) and Okinawa Sochinju (Shrine that protects all of Okinawa) in the Meiji era, but it was destroyed during the war. After the war, the shrine office (Shamusho) and the main shrine (Honden) were rebuilt in 1953. The church (Haiden) followed a little later and was rebuilt in 1961. In 2006 the Naminoque Shrine was declared a Historic Heritage Site of the City of Naha.
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Kinjo-cho's ishidatami michi, a stone-paved path near Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa.