SHURIJO CASTLE - The Symbol of Okinawa

One of the most interesting and memorable place that I visited in Okinawa was Shurijo Castle. Situated in Naha, the castle is only 35 minutes walk from our Kokusai Senta.

Seiden

There are many historical buildings and monuments in the area surrounding Shurijo Castle. You can find Shurei Gate (Shurei no mon), Kyukei Gate (Kyukei no mon) also Seiden. The Seiden was the largest wooden structure in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was also called the Kokuden.

From reading, I found out that during the 14th century, three small kingdoms existed on the main island of Okinawa. At the beginning of the 15th century, Shisho and his son Sho Hashi, from a powerful family in the southern part of Okinawa, conquer the other rival states and later on succeeded in unifying the Ryukyu islands. During the process of unification he made the Shuri area his base. So, since that moment until the establishment of the prefectural administrative system in 1879, Shurijo Castle was the center stage of the kingdom's history. Unfortunately, during the landing operation on Okinawa in June 1945 by Americans, the castle was was burned to the ground. Soon after that, in 1950, when Okinawa was under American military rule, the remains of Shurijo Castle became the site where the University of the Ryukyus was built.

Well, being to Shurijo Castle was one of the most interesting experience in Japan especially Okinawa. I spent half of my day there visiting the monuments and buildings. Also, there was a show on Okinawa Traditional Dance.

Definately, Shurijo Castle is the symbol of Okinawa's traditional culture. Also.. very nice place to remember..