When you flip through any magazine about “the best Japanese castles”, Shuri Castle in Okinawa always stands out with its vibrant colour. The bright red palace is a mixture of Japanese, Chinese and the Ryukyu Kingdom cultures. Established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, many tourists visit this castle and find themselves in a different world. Shuri Castle is a perfect representation of the diverse and deep history of Okiniawa.
The hundreds of islands known as the Ryukyu Kingdom became a part of Japan in 1897. Way before then, the Kingdom had numerous trades and political connections with both China and Japan. For such reasons, the design of this palace when it was built in the 14th century incorporated elements of the two other countries to welcome and respect their ambassadors. It is intriguing to imagine how the top ruler of a kingdom adopted so much from other cultures.
When you enter the grounds of Shuri Castle, you are immediately greeted by a fusion of cultures. The signs on the gate bearing four huge Chinese characters obviously originated from Chinese culture.
Karahafu(the curved gables) Japanese designs are borrowed to build the gables of the palace’s structures. Both red colour from Chinese and original wood colour from Japanese designs are used for the buildings. When all the other Japanese castles are designed so similarly, this cultural mixture of the castle is magical.
It will cost you 820 yen to enter Shuri Castle’s yard and palace, and it is very much worth it. The castle’s area is huge and there are a lot to see inside. I easily spent my afternoon there learning about the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom and experiencing the different atmosphere this “Japanese” castle contains. The exhibition portions are displayed in two side buildings of the castle, so the palace itself can retain its remarkable character. With red paint and dim lighting inside, visitors can feel the mystically charming aura and the deep cultural blend of the Shuri Castle palace.
Shuri Castle is located in the center of the park in Shuri City. Despite the impression of the crystal blue ocean of Okinawa, the city holding this national treasure is on a mountain. The Shuri Castle Park is huge and is full of greenery. From the park, you get an elevated view of Naha, the capital of Okinawa, which is accessible by train.
When I visited Okinawa, Shuri Castle presented itself to be something very unique. The design displays the deep history of the lost Ryukyu Kingdom and its relationship with the two neighbouring countries. Now recognized as both a Japanese national treasure and a World Heritage Site, Shuri Castle is a great way to spend an inspiring afternoon when visiting beautiful Okinawa.
Bus No. 1, 14, 17 or 46 --> Get off at Shurijo Koen Iriguchi
Bus No. 7 or 8 --> Get off at Shurijo-mae
Bus No. 9, 13, 26, 97 --> Get off at Yamagawa and walk for about 15 mins
Take the Yui Mono rail and get off at Shuri Station or Gibo Station. The park is 15 minutes away on foot.
Apr. to Jun. (8:30 to 19:00) Last entry:18:30
Jul. to Sep. (8:30 to 20:00) Last entry:19:30
Oct. to Nov. (8:30 to 19:00) Last entry:18:30
Dec. to Mar. (8:30 to 18:00) Last entry:17:30
Note: The Park is closed on the first Wednesday and Thursday of every July.
Shurijo Castle Park Management Center
〒903-0815 1-2 Kinjo-cho, Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa
TEL：098-886-2020 FAX：098-886-2022
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