Too tired to climb? No way—head to Okinawa's Shuri Castle Park to see the 16th-century Ryukyu Kingdom!

▲ Wu Feng’s daughter in kimono posing with Shuri Castle Park. (Photo /Rifat & Rynne’s Phoenix Flower Snow MoonProvided.)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

As one of the world’s four great seaside tourist destinations, Okinawa is known as the "Hawaii of the East." With its azure waters and rich Japanese charm, even celebrity Wu Feng couldn't resist its allure, taking his wife and little Ekim on vacation here. Among"Shuri Castle Park"is an essential stop in Okinawa. The classic castle walls and serene garden scenery transport you back to the 16th-century Ryukyu Kingdom!

▲ Shuri Castle buildings are predominantly red, which is quite unique. (Photo / From Wikipedia)

Shuri Castle Park is located in Naha City in the southern part of Okinawa Island. It is a Ryukyuan-style castle built between the late 13th and 14th centuries, serving as the capital and royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom from the 15th to the 19th century. Due to wars and fires, Shuri Castle was damaged and even nearly demolished multiple times. In 1925, Japan designated it as a national treasure, and it was reconstructed in 1992. In 2000, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The entire Shuri Castle combines traditional Chinese architectural styles with the unique natural environment of Ryukyu. Its predominantly red design is relatively rare among traditional Japanese palaces, and the red gates beautifully complement Okinawa’s deep blue sea views. Celebrity Wu Feng even chose Shuri Castle as the perfect place to debut his daughter Ekim’s first kimono—speaking volumes about its grandeur and uniqueness.

▲ Every corner of Shuri Castle offers a uniquely picturesque view, and it’s also a great spot to wear a kimono and immerse yourself in traditional Japanese ambiance. (Photo /Rifat & Rynne’s Phoenix Flower Snow MoonProvided)

Around the outer perimeter of Shuri Castle, there are various gates of different sizes. The outer wall includes four gates: Huanhui Gate, Jishi Gate, Jiuxing Gate, and h' Gate, while the inner wall features multiple gates such as Ruiquan Gate, Louke Gate, Guangfu Gate, Left Wing Gate, Right Wing Gate, Shushun Gate, Meifu Gate, and Baiyin Gate. The first four outer wall gates before Ruiquan Gate are free to visit, but entry to the inner wall gates afterward requires a ticket. The topmost main hall attracts many visitors—it is a three-story wooden structure that offers a bird’s-eye view of downtown Naha, giving you a thrilling sense of standing above it all.

Walking through the entire Shuri Castle Park takes about an hour. All the buildings are air-conditioned, and the layout is well-planned, making it a great place for anyone interested in Ryukyu culture to explore. There’s more than just architecture to enjoy—there are also historical relics on display, making it a very enriching destination!

Shuri Castle Park
Phone: 098-886-2020
Address: 1-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture (Take the monorail to Shuri Station, follow the signs to Shuri Castle, and walk about 20 minutes to the entrance)
Ticket Price: Adults ¥820, High School Students ¥620, Elementary & Junior High Students ¥310
Opening Hours: 9:00–17:30 (Dec–Feb); 9:00–18:00 (Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov); 8:30–18:30 (Jul–Sep)
Official Website:http://oki-park.jp/shurijo/

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