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Shurijo Castle

Old towns ·Naha ·Closed
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About

Shurijo Castle (Shuri Castle): a UNESCO-listed Ryukyuan gusuku and former royal palace on the southern edge of Shuri hill, Naha, Okinawa.

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Shurijo Castle

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Why go

  • The Seiden main hall, a three-storey palace and the kingdom's second-largest wooden structure.
  • Una, the enclosed square that was the main ceremonial courtyard for new reigns, between the Nanden and Seiden halls.
  • Tama-udun, the restored royal tombs beside Sonohyan-utaki, where 17 kings are entombed.
  • The Okushoin-en garden, the only surviving garden in a gusuku in the Ryukyu Islands.

Opening hours

Today08:00 – 18:30Show all
Monday08:00 – 18:30
Tuesday08:00 – 18:30
Wednesday08:00 – 18:30
Thursday08:00 – 18:30
Friday08:00 – 18:30
Saturday08:00 – 18:30
Sunday08:00 – 18:30

Don't miss

  • Shureimon gateThe main gate to the castle complex. An inscription on it reads 'land of good manners'.Main gate of the castle complex, Shuri, NahaBuilt 1527–1555 On the map
  • Kankaimon gateThe entrance gate built under King Shō Shin. It burned in the 1945 fighting and was rebuilt.Castle complex, Shuri, NahaRebuilt in 1974 On the map
  • ZuisenmonA wooden tower set into a gap in the walls. The war destroyed it, and it was restored only in 1992.Gap in the castle walls, Shuri, NahaBuilt around 1470 On the map
  • Ryūtan pondA man-made pond from 1427. A Choyo Banquet with a boat race was held on its shore.Shuri, in the castle groundsBuilt in 1427 On the map
  • Sonohyan-utakiA sacred stone gate set up in 1519, where the king prayed for safe travels.Beside Tama-udun, the restored royal tombsSet up in 1519 On the map

Photo spots

  • Seiden western facadeTwo 4.1-metre dragon pillars, carved from Yonaguni Island sandstone, stand on the western facade of the Seiden main hall.Western facade of the Seiden main hall, Shuri, NahaDaily, 08:00 to 18:30 On the map

Tips for your visit

  • Buy tickets at Kōfukumon, then show them at Hōshinmon, the main citadel entrance to the U-naa.
  • Bandokoro, the former main reception area, now houses a museum.
  • Suimuikan has an exhibition center, a gift shop and a restaurant for a break.
  • Agari-no-azana, a lookout on the eastern edge of the innermost wall.
  • Iri-no-azana is a modern lookout tower that overlooks the city.

Best time to visit

  • Reconstruction is ongoing, with full completion expected in autumn 2026, when the main hall's interiors are due.

Legends and hidden details

  • Ouchibaru, the residential area, was forbidden to men except the royal family.
  • The castle's entrance was used mostly by women.
  • Nichiei-dai, a sundial, kept local time from around 1739 until 1879.

Interesting facts5

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  1. The historian George H. Kerr called it one of the most magnificent castle sites in the world.

    Shuri Castle - Wikipedia
  2. 2000

    The Shureimon gate appears on the 2000 yen note.

    Shuri Castle - Wikipedia

  3. Chinese architecture, such as the Forbidden City, strongly shaped its design.

    Shuri Castle - Wikipedia

  4. Ten utaki shrines once stood inside the castle.

    Shuri Castle - Wikipedia

  5. The layout of the Una square is almost identical to a foreign palace, a sign of close Ryukyu ties.

    Château de Shuri - Wikipedia

Shorts

Sources: Shuri Castle - Wikipedia · Burg Shuri - Wikipedia · Château de Shuri - Wikipedia · checked 19 Oct 2026

Where
903-0815 1-2 Kinjo-cho, Shuri, Naha

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What are the opening hours of Shurijo Castle (Shuri Castle)?

Shurijo Castle is open every day from 08:00 to 18:30.

Where is Shurijo Castle (Shuri Castle)?

The castle is at 1-2 Kinjo-cho, Shuri, Naha, on the southern edge of Shuri hill, east of the city centre.

How old is Shurijo Castle (Shuri Castle)?

The exact construction date is unknown. The oldest ruins date from the late 14th century.

Is Shurijo Castle (Shuri Castle) still being rebuilt?

Yes. The exterior of the main hall was restored in 2025, and its interior work is due in 2026.

Is Shurijo Castle (Shuri Castle) a public park?

Yes. The whole site has long been a public park, and the area around the castle is now Shuri Castle Park.

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