The fire that broke out at Shuri Castle on October 31, 2019, sent shockwaves throughout Japan.

Shuri Castle, a symbol of Naha and a major tourist attraction, was beloved by many.
Currently, reconstruction work is steadily progressing, and from June 1, 2020, a portion of the area (free access) will be reopened.
Preparations are underway to allow visitors to see the progress of the reconstruction efforts in the future.

Chapter 1 of this article provides a detailed report on Shuri Castle before the fire.
I apologize for the confusion, but for the time being, I would like to leave it as it is so that it can be compared with Shuri Castle after its reconstruction is complete.

For sightseeing plans around Shuri Castle, please refer to Chapter 2 and beyond.

The evening sky over Naha, as seen from the western Azana, remains just as it was in the past.
Let's reflect on the former Shuri Castle and look forward to the day when we can visit again after its reconstruction.

<Contents>
1. What is Shuri Castle Park? (Information is from before the fire)
　1-1 History of Shuri Castle
　1-2 Highlights of Shuri Castle Park
　1-3 How to walk around Shuri Castle Park
2. Recommended spots around Shuri Castle Park
　2-1 This is the place for lunch! Ryukyu Tea House "Ashibiunaa"
　2-2 Experience coral dyeing at "Shuri Ryusen"
　2-3 A charming walking path: "Kinjo-cho Stone Pavement"
　2-4 Basic Information about Shuri Castle Park
3. Finally

Shuri Castle Park is a historical park built with the aim of restoring cultural heritage that was destroyed after the war, and preserving and developing traditional techniques.

Traditional festivals are held every year, and concerts by students from the local Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts are also held, allowing you to experience Okinawan culture firsthand.

Part of the area surrounding the park is designated as a "landscape preservation area" by Naha City. To avoid spoiling the view of Shuri Castle, houses are covered with red tiles, and there are also cobblestone paths.

This is a spot where you can feel the traditional charm of Okinawa just by walking around.

Shuri Castle is said to have been built around the beginning of the 14th century, but the exact date is unknown.

For approximately 450 years, from 1429, the Ryukyu Kingdom's royal palace served as the residence of the royal family, the political center, and a place for diplomatic trade with China, playing a vital role in various functions.

Influenced by this, the castle is painted in vermilion, a symbol of nobility, and the main hall is adorned with dragons representing the king and peony flowers, which are considered symbols of wealth.

Furthermore, Shuri Castle was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2000 as part of the "Castles and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu."

There are a total of nine related heritage sites, and three of them—Shuri Castle Ruins, Sonohyan Utaki Stone Gate, and Tamaudun Mausoleum—can actually be seen within Shuri Castle Park.

Incidentally, the current Shuri Castle was restored in 1992, and has actually been damaged by fire four times since then.
The buildings, including the main hall, are reconstructions and are not actually a World Heritage Site.

Shuri Castle Park is divided into two areas: a free area and a paid area.

The free area is the area from Shureimon Gate up to just before the entrance to the main hall (Hoshinmon Gate), which is on the hill where the main hall is located.

You can enter the Sonohiyan Utaki Stone Gate, which is recognized as part of the World Heritage Site, as well as the Shuri Castle Museum, observation deck, rest area, and souvenir shops.

The paid area is the entire area you enter through the Hoshinmon Gate, where you can see buildings that recreate the appearance of the Ryukyu Kingdom era, including the main hall.

The Shuri Castle Ruins, a World Heritage Site, are located within the main hall, so be sure to look for them!

It will vary from person to person depending on how thoroughly you look around, but if you only visit the free areas, it should take about 30 minutes.
Visiting both the paid and free areas takes about an hour and a half.

It might be a good idea to decide in advance what you want to see, depending on the length of your stay.

Below, I will introduce my personal recommendations for walking around Shuri Castle Park!

Stamp rally: Free area + Paid area

Want to explore every corner of Shuri Castle Park? Then we recommend the stamp rally!
(*Stamp rally sheets can be obtained at the rest center on the first floor of "Shumuikan".)

There are a total of 25 stamp points, and you go around stamping your book in front of famous buildings.

Some locations may even have quizzes, so try answering them using clues from your surroundings!

It's designed to be like a game, so even children can enjoy participating.

Collect 10 stamps to get a commemorative sticker, collect 10 stamps plus the main hall stamp and take on a quiz to get another commemorative sticker and a mini file, and if you collect them all, you'll get a kids' guide and the King's seal!

It takes about 30 minutes for 10 items, and about 90 minutes for all of them.

By the way, I managed to get a commemorative sticker and a mini file! I really wanted to collect them all... I'll have to wait until next time (cries).

Chain Room: Paid area

There are many slopes and stairs inside Shuri Castle, so you might find yourself surprisingly tired before you know it. That's when the "Sasunoma" (Chain Room) comes in handy.

The Chain Room was once a facility used by princes to entertain their guests.

You can enjoy traditional Okinawan sweets and warm jasmine tea while gazing at a beautiful Ryukyu garden, and they will also explain the history of Kusari-no-ma and the sweets.

There were four types of sweets in total: Hanabouru, Kunpen, Chiirunkou, and Chinsukou. I enjoyed them all.

You can have refills of tea, and they'll bring you another cup as soon as yours is empty.

The Kusari-no-ma is located within a paid area, but the price is only 310 yen per person. If you have the time, it's a highly recommended spot that you should definitely visit.

Azana of the West: Free Area

As evening falls, the surroundings become dark, and Shuri Castle is enveloped in a nighttime atmosphere.

After visiting Shuri Castle, instead of heading straight home, we'd like you to stop by a place like "Iri no Azana."

The day I visited, the weather was fine, and I was able to see a beautiful sunset.

The sun is currently hidden behind the clouds, but the contrast between the city and the clouds is absolutely beautiful, isn't it?

By the way, it's in the free area, so anyone can see it!
Since I visited in December, the museum closed early at 12:18 PM.

Shuri Castle's opening hours vary depending on the season, so we recommend checking them in advance before you go!

It's perfect for ending a date and creating lasting memories.

*Basic information about Shuri Castle is included at the very end of the article, so please check that as well.

It would be a shame to come all the way to Shuri and just see Shuri Castle before heading home!
With that in mind, I took a stroll around the Shuri Park area♪

I was looking for a stylish place near Shuri Castle where I could eat Okinawan food, and that's when I found "Ashibiunaa".

The shop is housed in a 60-year-old traditional Okinawan-style building, creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
Another highlight is that you can enjoy your meal while overlooking the courtyard from the veranda seats, allowing you to fully experience the traditional Okinawan atmosphere.

The location is about a 5-minute walk from Shureimon Gate.

On this particular day (mid-December), it was around 12:30 PM on a weekday, and although the restaurant was quite crowded, we were seated at a corner table on the veranda within about five minutes.

There are over 50 seats indoors, so you can relax even on rainy days.

It was so hot I was sweating a little, so I had a cold cup of "ucchin tea" (turmeric tea).
A pot of warm jasmine tea is also on the table.

The menu mainly features local dishes, including Okinawan soba noodles. This time, I ordered their specialty, "squid ink fried noodles."

All soft drinks, including turmeric tea, are 300 yen, and squid ink fried noodles are 650 yen (both prices exclude tax).

After about 10 minutes, the squid ink fried noodles arrived!

The noodles were jet black, topped with a generous amount of bean sprouts, chives, and seaweed. There was also plenty of squid. I enjoyed every single bite.

I was very satisfied with the stylish atmosphere and delicious food!

[Ryukyu Tea House Ashibiunaa]
Address: 2-13 Shuri Tonokura-cho, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL：098-884-0035
Opening hours: (Lunch) 11:00 - 15:00
　　　　　(Dinner) 17:00 - 23:00 (Last order 22:00)
Closed on: Obon festival and training days (advance notice required)
Parking: (Lunch) 1 hour free
　　　　 (Dinner) No time limit, 500 yen

 

It's about a 5-minute walk from Shureimon Gate in Shuri Castle Park.
It's about a 10-minute walk from Ashibiunaa, where we had lunch. It's right next to Shuri High School.

Shuri Ryusen is characterized by its large roof and impressive gate.

[The Origins of Shuri Ryusen Dyeing]
After the war, Bingata dyeing began to use artificial dyes instead of natural dyes.

Concerned about the decline in the quality of traditional crafts, dye artist Koto Yamaoka established this workshop, investing her own funds, out of concern for the future of bingata (Okinawan dyeing technique).

Furthermore, it was the founder, Koto Yamaoka, who invented the coral dyeing technique.

The first floor is a sales area for original products, featuring a wide array of items including bingata-dyed furoshiki (wrapping cloths) and handkerchiefs, as well as coral-dyed drawstring bags and pouches.

Coral dyeing is a unique technique of Shuri Ryusen dyeing, in which a cloth is placed on a fossilized coral (which serves as a dyeing mold), and then rubbed with an ink-soaked cloth to create a raised pattern.

The Bingata workshop on the third floor is also a free space, so you can freely look around just like on the first floor.

Each piece of cloth is 13 meters long and is draped all the way up to the ceiling.
It's so colorful and elegant, isn't it?

My main objective this time was to try the coral dyeing experience available in the hands-on activity corner on the second floor.

Choose one item from a selection of fabrics to dye with coral, such as furoshiki (wrapping cloth), tenugui (hand towel), tote bag, or T-shirt.

The staff will carefully explain how to dye your hair, so even first-timers have nothing to worry about!

If you place a cloth over the coral and rub it vigorously like this, the pattern will become more visible.

Mixing inks and other materials to create gradients will result in a more original and unique piece of art.

Here is the finished product ☆

The price is 3,300 yen per adult and 2,750 yen per child. (The price is the same for both coral dyeing and Bingata dyeing.)

There are no time limits, so you can create your own masterpiece until you're completely satisfied!
Incidentally, the average experience time varies, ranging from as short as 40 minutes to as long as an hour and a half.

There are many different kinds of experiences you can try, but coral dyeing is something you can only do at "Shuri Ryusen," so it's perfect for those who want a slightly different experience!

[Shuri Ryusen (Shuri Ryusen)]
Address: 1-54 Shuri Yamakawa-cho, Naha City
TEL：098-886-1131
Hours: 09: 00 ~ 18: 00
Experience start times: 9:30 / 11:00 / 12:30 / 14:00 / 15:30
No regular holiday
Parking: Up to 5 cars (If the parking lot is full, please use a nearby paid parking lot.)
Online booking:One of a kind in the world! A coral dyeing experience using fossilized coral.

 

Kinjo-cho Ishidatami-michi is a stone-paved road located about a 10-minute walk from Shureimon Gate of Shuri Castle.

Built in the first half of the 16th century during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, it escaped damage during World War II and can still be enjoyed in its original form.

When I visited, it was already past 6 PM, so the road was getting a little dark. There aren't many streetlights, so it might be better to go sometime between noon and evening.

Also, the slope is quite steep, so I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.

There are houses along the roadside where people live their normal lives, so let's enjoy it quietly!

If you'd like, please also refer to this.
⇒Traveling through Okinawa in photos ♡ How to take a photo that will get you "likes" on Shuri's cobblestone streets

[Map of recommended spots around Shuri Castle]

[Access by car]
Approximately 10km from Naha Airport, about 40-60 minutes.
Naha city (Kokusai Street, in front of Mitsukoshi): Approximately 4km, approximately 15-25 minutes.
Approximately 3km from Shikinaen Garden, about 10-20 minutes.

【Parking Lot】
■ Parking fee
Vehicle type, price per ride
Large vehicles: 960 yen
Small car: 320 yen
The parking lot is located on the first and second basement floors of the information center, "Suimuikan," and can accommodate 46 large vehicles and up to 116 regular passenger cars.

[Access via Yui Rail]
Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Shuri Station on the Yui Rail, and approximately 26 minutes on foot from Gibo Station.
*Please also refer to this page for access information from Yui Rail Gibo Station and Shuri Station!
⇒Access to Shuri Castle | From Yui Rail Station to Shuri Castle! We'll show you the route so you don't get lost.

Shuri Castle Park's opening hours vary significantly from month to month, so be sure to check them before you go!

The facility outline is as follows.

*As of May 2020, only the free area is available.

[Admission Fee]
■ Paid area
Adults, Junior High School Students, Children (Elementary and Junior High School Students), Children under 6 years old
General admission (20 people or less): 820 yen, 620 yen, 310 yen, Free
*If you purchase a free pass on the Yui Rail and present it at the Shuri Castle Park ticket office window, you will receive a discounted fare.

【Facility information】
■Opening hours (free area)
December - March: 08:00 - 19:30
December - March: 08:00 - 20:30
December - March: 08:00 - 19:30
December - March: 08:00 - 18:30
*The paid area is open until 30 minutes before closing time.

■Closed days: The first Wednesday of July and the following day
■ Phone number 098-886-2020
■Address: 1-2 Shuri Kinjo-cho, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture 903-0815
For more detailed information, please click here.

How was it?

We've introduced various spots, including Shuri Castle, and I think you've discovered many places where you can feel the charm of old Okinawa and make some new discoveries.

Taking a slight detour and enjoying the sights is one of the joys of traveling, so when you visit Shuri, be sure to take a step outside your usual route and explore!

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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