Shuri Castle — Attraction in Naha

My partner is deeply interested in the history of Japan and thus, we absolutely had to drop by Shurijo Castle as it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shurijo Castle served as the political and cultural heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom for centuries. Its unique blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian architectural styles reflects Okinawa's historical role as a cultural hub.

As the Castle was recently destroyed by a fire in 2019, the main portion of the Castle was still undergoing reconstruction. Fret not as the reconstruction process can be viewed by the public and the team even provided educational panels on the reconstruction process, including the materials used, process taken and even pieces from before the Castle was burned down in 2019. We were extremely impressed with the professionalism and dedication the team had in rebuilding the Castle, demonstrating an inspiring testament to the resilience of preserving the Okinawan Culture

Apart from the main Castle, the Castle grounds are still open for public touring. We walked the ground and made it all the way up to see the whole of Okinawa, just as the King did in the past. We were also able to see other areas of the old palace, including the garden, rest house and bath area.

At the end of the tour, there is a nice restaurant serving traditional Okinawan food and a small gift shop, a nice and refreshing rest stop after dealing with the Okinawan heat!

Do note that the Castle is situated on a very high point of Okinawa, which means that the tour would be largely uphill before heading back downhill when you complete the tour. This may not be friendly towards...

Seeing the reconstruction of Shuri Castle is truly a remarkable experience! While the fire that caused the damage was unfortunate, witnessing the rebuilding process is nothing short of fascinating. Initially, we were concerned that we might miss out on visiting Shuri Castle, but watching it being rebuilt right before our eyes exceeded all expectations.

It's quite rare to witness such a spectacular structure being reconstructed in real-time. The decision not to close off the site for renovation but instead offer an educational experience for visitors to observe the rebuilding process is both amazing and clever. The dedication to preserving this historical site and passing down its legacy is truly commendable.

The level of skill and artistry displayed in reconstructing this ancient building is awe-inspiring. Despite having the option to use modern machinery for fabrication, they chose to rebuild using traditional tools and techniques. This commitment to honoring their culture and craftsmanship in Japan is truly impressive and something to be appreciated.

For those interested in craftsmanship, woodworking, culture, and architecture, visiting during the restoration period is highly recommended. Don't hesitate because some areas are fenced off for restoration – witnessing this process firsthand is a unique and enriching experience that...

The castle itself burned down in 2019 but they are rebuilding it using traditional materials sourced from Okinawa or the rest of Japan (as much as possible).

That does not mean there's nothing to see though. In addition to the vast castle grounds, other old structures exist, as well as garden paths.

One of the impressive standout features is that they are rebuilding the castle before your eyes. They've set up a large, temperature and humidity controlled environment where you can see carpenters working on the massive wooden beams in preparation for putting it all together.

Cutting, measuring and sanding, plus information about the old building, building methods and pieces of the old castle are on display for you to see and touch.

Another really cool activity is their request for volunteers to help them break down pieces of the old foundation in order to re-use the ground up powder to make new bricks for the construction of the new castle.

Once this is done, they thank your efforts with a certificate then you can get your picture taken in front of the entry gate. A really great souvenir.

Another reviewer mentioned a fun, coloured stamp hunt to create a unique souvenir postcard. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to find all of the stamps but the kids will love this activity!

All this is worth more than the 400 yen...