Shikinaen Garden, designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and part of a World Heritage Site, attracts many visitors. But what exactly is its appeal?

I actually visited the place to explore its unique features and how to enjoy it. I hope this will be helpful for your first visit.

==Table of Contents==
[1] Basic knowledge of Shikinaen Garden
[1-1] Who made it, why, and when?
[1-2] Size and viewing time
[1-3] The impact of the Battle of Okinawa

[2] How to enjoy Shikinaen Garden, Part 1: The classic style - tracing its history and traditions
[2-1] Fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Ryukyuan styles
[2-2] The History of Ryukyu as the Background of its Unique Style
[2-3] Traces of the past and stories remaining in the park

[3] How to enjoy Shikinaen Garden, Part 2: Observe the plants and get to know living things.
[3-1] Plants - Including plants unique to tropical regions!
[3-2] The Animals Edition - You might even encounter some natural monuments!

[4] How to enjoy Shikinaen Garden, Part 3: Refresh yourself by strolling through a quiet space.

[5] Things to bring and recommended clothing
[5-1] It's surprisingly physically demanding! Here's how to deal with it.

[6] Access, opening days, opening hours, and admission fees

[1-1] Who made it, why, and when?

Construction of this villa, originally built as a secondary residence for the Ryukyu royal family, began over 200 years ago and was completed in 1799.
The main purposes of its use were for the royal family's recreation and for entertaining envoys from China (investiture envoys).

The location is currently Maji, Naha City. Although it's within Naha City, it's about a 10-minute drive from the nearest station, Shuri Station on the Yui Rail. Access by city bus or car is convenient. (For details, see [6] Access, Opening Days, Opening Hours, and Admission Fees )

[1-2] Size and viewing time

There were other villas belonging to the Ryukyu royal family, but Shikinaen Garden was the largest of them all.
Registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2,000, its designated area is 41,997 square meters (approximately 12,726 tsubo)!

As for the time required, although it is very large, you should be able to enjoy it in about 30 minutes to an hour.
If you walk around and visit the main buildings and other sights listed in the pamphlet, it will take about 30 minutes for an adult.
Although there are some slight inclines along the way, the route is easy to follow, and there are only about eight main points of interest, so it's possible to proceed at a brisk pace.

Conversely, if you want to stay longer, you can easily spend an hour to an hour and a half there.
You can observe the diverse flora and fauna in the park, rest under the eaves, and take pictures.

However, there are no vending machines or restaurants inside the park.
Therefore, it's difficult to spend time relaxing and having tea along the way.

[1-3] The impact of the Battle of Okinawa

Shikinaen Garden boasts a vast area and a long history. However, it suffered devastating damage during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.
The current appearance is the result of a reconstruction that took approximately 20 years, starting in 1975.
However, the building was meticulously recreated, and the stone monument was also remade from a rubbing of the original (a copy of the monument's texture).

The plants are thriving and flourishing, welcoming us with their beauty.

[2-1] Fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Ryukyuan styles

Shikinaen Garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu). What makes it special?

• Although it is in the style of a Japanese garden,
• Chinese architectural culture is interwoven throughout the building.
• Furthermore, it incorporated architectural methods unique to the Ryukyu Islands.

It can be seen in its unique design.

For example, the style of gardening with a pond at the center and a walk around it is called a "stroll garden," and it was a style that was frequently adopted by feudal lords in Japan.

On the other hand, the temple buildings and bridges floating on the pond are in a Chinese style.

The pond is surrounded by Ryukyu limestone.

[2-2] The History of Ryukyu as the Background of its Unique Style

Why are they incorporating such a diverse range of styles?
It is closely related to the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Okinawa Island is geographically close not only to Japan but also to China and the Korean Peninsula, and it developed through trade with these countries.
And gradually, it found itself in an extremely difficult position, being both a vassal state of Japan and under the control of China.

Nevertheless, the Ryukyu Kingdom has always maintained its status as an independent nation.
Shikinaen Garden is a testament to the history of embracing diverse cultures.

[2-3] Traces of the past and stories remaining in the park

The trees and buildings within the park have various historical backgrounds.

[Ikutokusen]

A spring from which pure, refreshing water has been flowing for hundreds of years.
It is also the source of water for the pond.
One of the highlights is the elegant curves created by combining Ryukyu limestone using techniques unique to the Ryukyu Islands.

The Yutoku Spring was praised for its excellence even by the envoys who visited from China.
Two monuments remain from that time.

In the glorious days of old, through wartime, and even now, this spring has always flowed gently and beautifully.

[Shinji Pond]

Shikinaen is a "stroll garden" where visitors enjoy walking around a pond. You could say this pond is the main attraction of Shikinaen.

You wouldn't notice it while walking by, but this pond is actually shaped like a stylized version of the Japanese character for "heart."
This, too, is one of the styles of traditional Japanese gardens.
Walking around with a pamphlet in hand, you might enjoy thinking, "Is this the third stroke of the character for 'heart'?"

[Ishibashi]

Several arches (stone bridges) span the Shinji Pond.
This style, with its raised center and circular shape reflected in the water, is a Chinese-inspired design.

[Hexagonal Hall]

A gazebo that appears to float on the pond.
The shape of the roof and the black coloring of the tiles show traces of Chinese influence.
It has a truly oriental appearance.

Incidentally, there are photographs showing that it was actually square-shaped until the early Meiji period. So it was a square-shaped temple, not a hexagonal one.
However, the exact timing of the rebuilding is unknown.

[Boat landing area]

People used to float small boats on the pond to enjoy the cool air.
This is the place where they were hauling that small boat ashore.
The thought of a small boat leisurely gliding around Rokkakudo Temple is quite picturesque, isn't it?
It evokes a sense of a bygone era.

[Udun (palace)]

The characters for "palace" are pronounced "udun." This wooden building with a red tiled roof exudes the spirit of Ryukyu culture.
With a total area of ​​525 square meters (approximately 159 tsubo), it is a spacious area, essentially the "main building" of Shikinaen Garden.

There are 15 rooms in total, arranged in a row starting with the first room where the envoys were entertained, followed by the second room, and so on.
From this important room, you can enjoy a tranquil and beautiful view overlooking the Shinji Pond and the Rokkakudo Pavilion. The layout clearly shows that this place was designed to entertain important guests.

This "palace" also attracted a lot of attention in June 2015.
It became the venue for the Honinbo title match, one of the seven major Go title matches.

Go matches are typically played in kimonos or suits. However, on this occasion, both Honinbo Iyama Yuta and 9th Dan Yamashita Keigo wore Kariyushi wear during their match.
As of August 2015, the "palace" displays a Go board and photographs to commemorate the match.

[Kankodai]

A hilltop offering panoramic views of Naha city. However, you cannot see the sea from here.

This might sound like a bad view, but it's a deliberate design choice.
It seems that this was done to prevent the envoys from China, who considered Japan a "small country," from looking down on it, and to show that it had a vast territory so large that the coastline was not visible.

[Tunnel remains]

The remains of air raid shelters dug during the Battle of Okinawa can be found around Kankodai.
It's a hole for letting in air, so it's not very big, but apparently they sometimes went in and out through it.
Please try searching for it sometime.

Shikinaen Garden is home to an incredible variety of plants and animals.
It's also fun to challenge yourself to see how many different kinds you can find.

[3-1] Plants - Including plants unique to tropical regions!

【Deigo (Teigo/Teiko)】

"♪The coral tree flowers bloom, calling the wind, and a storm comes—"

The word "deigo" appears at the beginning of THE BOOM's song "Shima Uta".
Some people might imagine it to be a flower like a hibiscus, but it's actually a tree that grows to nearly 10 meters tall. It blooms with red flowers in March and April.
It can be seen near the "General Gate." (This is not the General Gate currently in use, but the General Gate from the Ryukyu Kingdom era.)

[Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)]

A tree native to southern China.

This is a tall, slender deciduous tree that blooms with red and white flowers in the summer. The photo was taken at the end of July. There were no signs of flowers blooming yet.

This can be seen near the "main gate".
(This is not the main gate currently in use, but the main gate from the Ryukyu Kingdom era. It is not accessible now.)

[Lantana]

Native to Central and South America, it produces small but vibrant flowers whose colors change from red, orange, yellow, and white.

[Akagi]

This tree grows rapidly, reaching a height of about 25 meters. It is said to get its name from its reddish bark and wood (inside).
A southern tree distributed from southern Asia to the South Pacific.

【ガジュマル】

A large tree widely distributed in Okinawa. Its long, rounded leaves create a large, gentle dappled sunlight.

[Rhaphiolepis indica]

A shrub that grows along the coast. Nowadays, it's often planted in median strips along roadsides.
It is characterized by its somewhat round, thick leaves and small flowers that bloom in autumn.

[Kobatei Shi]

A tall tree that spreads along the coast from Okinawa to the Ogasawara Islands.

In summer, it bears small white flowers, and eventually the fruit falls into the sea and travels on the waves.
Here at Shikinaen Garden, they grow near the Shinji Pond.

[Cycad]

This evergreen small tree has a look that is very typical of a tropical region.
In Japan, it is distributed from Miyazaki Prefecture southward.
In fact, it is dioecious, meaning that it has separate plants that produce female flowers and plants that produce male flowers.

[Gomoju]

This evergreen shrub commonly grows in limestone areas. It is said to produce fragrant flowers from January to April. It can be seen near Kankodai.

[Hirami Lemon / Shikuwasa (Okinawan Citrus)]

Shikuwasa, a fruit often used in drinks, is distributed from the Ryukyu Islands to Taiwan. It can be seen in orchards.

【banana】

Shikinaen Garden once had a banana plantation.
As a remnant of that time, a few banana trees still grow there.

[Ryukyu Pine]

The prefectural tree of Okinawa Prefecture.
Some people might think that the pine tree, so typical of Japan, doesn't fit the image of Okinawa. However, the Ryukyu pine is actually quite widely distributed in Okinawa, and you'll often see it if you pay attention while driving.

[3-2] The Animals Edition - You might even encounter some natural monuments!

Shikinaen Garden, rich in nature, is home to a wide variety of creatures.

Shikinaen Garden is home to the birthplace of a national natural monument: the "Ikutoku Spring."
This is a type of freshwater alga called "Shimachisujinori," which is a thin, thread-like alga. It becomes less common in the summer, but please try to find it if you visit. (I couldn't find any myself...)

Bonus episode. A cat was standing firm in front of the entrance, like a gatekeeper.
Shikinaen Garden has had cats in front of its gates for many years.
They're so relaxed, they don't even seem to care about the tourists. Honestly, they're adorable.

Shikinaen Garden, with its quiet atmosphere and lush greenery, is the perfect place for a stroll.

Let's take a leisurely stroll through this space filled with negative ions, surrounded by the overflowing waterfall, the shade cast by the trees, and the gently smiling flowers.

There are also buildings like palaces, hexagonal halls, and pilgrimage platforms at just the right intervals where you can sit down.

[5] Things to bring and recommended clothing

[5-1] It's surprisingly physically demanding! Here's how to deal with it.

Shikinaen Garden is easily accessible from Naha city.
You can see everything in as little as 30 minutes, but there are some items and clothing I recommend bringing to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

[A sun hat or parasol]

There are quite a few places, such as around the pond, where there is nothing to block the sunlight.
If you're visiting during the summer, be sure to take precautions against the sun.

[Comfortable walking shoes]

Along the way, you'll encounter slopes and cobblestone paths.
The cobblestone streets aren't perfectly flat; they're quite uneven. Shoes without heels are recommended.

【drink】

There are no vending machines or coffee shop.
Bringing your own water is essential.

[Access]

It's common to arrive by private car or bus.

The parking lot is conveniently located right by the entrance.

If you take the bus, it's about a 5-minute walk from the bus stop. The nearest bus stop is "Shikinaen-mae bus stop".

• ≪No. 2≫ Shikina-Kainan Line
• ≪No. 3≫ Matsukawa New City Line
• ≪No. 4≫ Shinkawa Omoromachi Line
• ≪Route 5≫ Shikina-Makishi Line
• Route 14: Makishi Kainan Loop Line

Alternatively, you can get off at Shuri Station on the Yui Rail and take a taxi (about 10 minutes).
★Address...
421-7 Maji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

[Opening hours]

October to March: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
October to March: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The park is closed every Wednesday.
However, if Wednesday falls on a holiday or Memorial Day, the event will be postponed to the following day.
There may also be days when the park is temporarily closed. If you really want to visit, it's best to check beforehand.

Naha City Cultural Properties Division (Temporary closure information is posted in the "Notices" section, etc.)

[Admission fee]

Adults: 400 yen (320 yen with group discount)
Children: 200 yen (160 yen with group discount) *Junior high school students and younger
Children under elementary school age who are accompanied by a guardian are admitted free of charge.

【last】

When it comes to historical sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shuri Castle is extremely famous.
While it certainly lacks the grandeur of a castle, its quiet presence, preserving tradition, is the epitome of elegance.
With plenty of shade, it's a great place for a stroll in the summer.
If you come to Naha, please be sure to visit us.

Shirokuma Tours offers affordable Okinawa package tours. A wide variety of options are available, including tours to Ishigaki and Miyako Islands.

For local experiences and optional tours such as snorkeling and sightseeing bus tours, choose Tabi Plus One.

For diving in Okinawa, from license acquisition and fun dives to introductory experiences, choose Oceans Dive Tour.