Shuri Castle

Welcome to Shurijo Castle Park, a site that serves as the profound epicenter of Okinawan history and the spiritual heart of the vanished Ryukyu Kingdom. As we stand here at an altitude of approximately one hundred and twenty to…

Our first significant landmark is the Shureimon, perhaps the most iconic structure in Okinawa, famously depicted on the two-thousand-yen banknote. This gate, built in a traditional Chinese style with four pillars and a…

Moving further into the castle, we reach the Kankaimon, the first main gate of the outer castle wall. 'Kankai' literally means 'to welcome,' and this gate was the primary entrance for high-ranking officials and foreign…

We now stand before the Zuisenmon, or the 'Happy Fountain Gate.' This gate is named after the sacred spring located just to its right, known as Ryu-hi. The name 'Zuisen' signifies an auspicious or splendid spring. …

The next gate on our ascent is the Kofukumon, which translates to the 'Gate of Spreading Happiness.' This gate is unique because the building itself serves as the gatehouse. During the Ryukyu Kingdom era, this structure housed…

We have reached the inner courtyard, known as the Una. This was the most sacred and important space in the entire castle, where major state ceremonies, such as the investiture of the King and New Year's celebrations, took place. …

As we conclude our exploration of the inner castle, let us walk toward the western perimeter to the Iri-no-Azana, or the West Lookout. Situated at an altitude of approximately one hundred and forty meters, this is one of the…

As we depart the grounds of Shurijo, we leave behind a place that has been the soul of Okinawa for over five hundred years. We have walked the path of kings, passed through gates that welcomed the world, and witnessed the ongoing…