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A breathtaking castle and symbol of Okinawan history and culture on the path to reconstruction.
Shurijo is a proud Okinawan icon whose brightly-painted vermillion walls also make it the only red castle in Japan.
The castle served as the esteemed seat of politics, trade and culture for the Ryukyu Kingdom that existed during the 450 years between 1429 and 1879.
It sits atop the hill overlooking Naha City, surrounded by curving walls.
The castle was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for the rich culture and history visible in its unique stone-masonry and construction, which fuses both Chinese and Japanese architectural influences.
Unfortunately, Shurijo was ravaged in a fire in 2019, causing 8 of the castle buildings to burn down. Many people wept at the devastation, but support from Japan and around the world allowed the beginning of restoration and reconstruction efforts that are now underway. Part of the grounds were reopened with admissions rates as of June 2020.
Shurijo Castle prior to the devastating fire.
Shurijo Castle prior to the devastating fire.
Shureimon Gate
Kankaimon Gate
Shurijo Castle after the 2019 fire.
View from Shurijo castle.
Some reviews are AI-translated.
Even though the main hall was destroyed by fire in 2019, Shurijo Castle is still really impressive while it's being rebuilt.
This palace was built during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. It's such a shame it was destroyed by a fire. Really hope they restore it soon.
This famous World Heritage site is a must-visit when you're in Okinawa. The view from the top is really nice.
I visited before the fire. It's a really important spot in Okinawa. Shurijo Castle is well organized and covers a huge area—it takes about two to three hours to see everything.
A must-visit spot in Okinawa. It's such a shame that a fire destroyed it, but reconstruction is already underway. I really hope it can be restored to its original beauty soon.
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