Tamaudun Mausoleum

Tamaudun Mausoleum

Introduction

It takes about three minutes to walk west from Shureimon to reach Tamaudun, also known as the stone mausoleum of the Ryû-ô-den. In 1501, during the first year of the Bunki era, King Shô Shin—who is regarded as the restorer of the Ryukyu Kingdom—built this mausoleum to relocate the remains of his father, King Shô En. Since then, it has served as the second royal mausoleum for generations of the Shô family. The mausoleum features two-tiered stone walls. By walking through the front garden paved with coral stone and into the central courtyard, you arrive at the tomb area. Among the three parallel house-shaped tombs, the central one was once used for temporarily housing the remains. The left tomb is for kings and queens, while the right is for princes and princesses. The tombs are also made of coral, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship and grand architecture of skilled artisans. The central courtyard holds the Tamaudun Stone Monument, which is inscribed with historical records in stone script. The Tamaudun Mausoleum has been designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

Transportation A five-minute walk from Chibaru Bus Stop.

Okinawa Prefecture, Japan