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Tragedy at Shuri Castle
Nine facilities were destroyed by fire in October 2019.
The fire was extinguished after burning for 11 hours.
Shuri Castle has burned down in the past, including during World War II, and this is the fifth time it has burned down.
However, restoration work on Shuri Castle began in November 2022, as it has been restored each time it has burned in the past.
The scheduled completion date is 2026.
It is a great shame that a valuable part of Japanese culture has been burnt down.
However, here are some reasons why sightseeing in Shuri Castle is currently recommended!
What you need to know before visiting Shuri Castle
- A symbol of the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom (present-day Okinawa Prefecture)
- Japanese and Chinese combined architectural culture
- A world cultural heritage site
A symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom
The Ryukyu Kingdom was a historical state that existed mainly in the Okinawa Islands.
The Ryukyu Kingdom existed from the early 15th century until the mid-19th century.
It mainly interacted with China and Japan; in the mid-19th century, the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed to Japan and Okinawa became a Japanese territory.
Shuri Castle was the political, economic and cultural centre of this kingdom.
Japanese and Chinese combined architectural culture
The Ryukyu Kingdom developed as a maritime kingdom mainly through diplomacy and trade with Japan and China.
As a result, Chinese and Japanese architectural culture can be seen throughout Shuri Castle.
The main hall is a typical example.
A world cultural heritage site
Shuri Castle was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2000.
The registration includes Shuri Castle and other remaining fortresses and related heritage sites in the Okinawan archipelago.
The registration of Shuri Castle as a cultural heritage site has led to international recognition of its historical and cultural value and has emphasized its protection and preservation.
Reasons why you should visit Shuri Castle now
- The recovery process is open to the public.
- The architecture that was not lost in the fire is excellent.
- So many events are taking place at the moment.
The recovery process is open to the public
There is a space in Shuri Castle where visitors can see the reconstruction in action.
Also, the theme of this reconstruction is ‘reconstruction to show‘.
Please come and see the Shuri Castle, which can only be seen now during the reconstruction.
The architecture that was not lost in the fire is excellent
Shurei-mon
The most representative gate with a well-balanced design and elegant atmosphere is the “Shurei-mon” (gate of honor).
It was built in the style of a Chinese-style pailou.
The phrase “Shurei-no-kuni(守礼之邦)” on the gate means “Ryukyu is a country that respects civility.
It is also used in the design of old Japanese banknotes.
Kankai-mon
It is the first main gate into the castle walls of Shuri Castle, and “kankai” means welcome.
On either side of the gate are a pair of stone lion statues called “Shisa,” which are meant to ward off evil.
So many events are taking place at the moment
Even today, many events are held at Shuri Castle.
You can check the event schedule from the official Shurijo website.
More information
- Shuri Castle Park is divided into free and paid areas.
- Admission to the paid area is 400 yen per adult.
- Opening and closing times of the park vary depending on the season.
- Only U.S. dollars are accepted in foreign currency.
| Shuri Castle | |
|---|---|
| Address: | 1-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0815 |
| Tel: | 098-886-2020 |
| HP: | https://oki-park.jp/shurijo/ |
| Opening hours: | Depends on the season |
| Note: | – |