Shuri Castle
首里城 · Naha, Okinawa
The vermilion palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom: the soul of Okinawa reborn from fire
Know before you go
- Don't touch the woodwork or lacquer being restored
- don't be loud in the main hall
- treat the subject of war history (the Battle of Okinawa) with solemnity.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, reborn a second time
From 1429 to 1879 Shuri Castle was the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was almost completely destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945; from 1992 it was rebuilt on its original site based on historical records, photographs and people's memories, and in 2000 it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site as part of the 'Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu'. Early on 31 October 2019 the main hall and other major buildings were again destroyed by fire; the reconstruction is expected to be fully completed in autumn 2026, with the completion ceremony set for 22 November.
Source: Wikipedia: Shuri Castle
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879, a 'gusuku' blending Chinese and Japanese architecture, whose vermilion main hall and golden dragon carvings tell the history of a maritime kingdom that was a 'bridge between nations'. In 2019 fire destroyed the main hall, and the whole country mourned; rebuilt under a philosophy of 'restoration on show', with the whole process open to the public, the main hall finally reopened to the public on 23 November 2026 — to Okinawans it is as precious as 'nuchi' (life) itself.
Local customs
- Okinawa has its own 'utaki' faith and ancestor worship
- keep quiet when visiting
- when strolling the town below Shuri Castle, don't make noise and disturb residents.
Religion & beliefs
- Ryukyuan Shinto intertwines with ancestor worship, and the utaki in and around the castle are sacred
- visit religious sites in Shuri Castle Park with respect and don't enter restricted areas.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Don't touch the woodwork or lacquer being restored
- don't be loud in the main hall
- treat the subject of war history (the Battle of Okinawa) with solemnity.
Locals appreciate DO
- Okinawans are warm and cheerful, and appreciate visitors who respect Ryukyuan culture and want to learn about the rebuilding
- tasting Okinawa soba and sea grapes and watching Ryukyuan dance are most popular.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- From 23 November 2026 the main hall is open to the general public
- visiting it requires an online-booked 30-minute timed ticket, and the adult price has risen from JPY 400 to JPY 1,000 (check the Shuri Castle Park official website before going). November–April has the best weather (avoiding the rainy and typhoon seasons)
- get off the monorail at Shuri Station
- combine with Gyokusendō Cave and Kokusai-dōri.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Okinawa soba
- Gōyā champurū (bitter melon stir-fry)
- Shima-dōfu (island tofu)
Okinawa soba (wide noodles in pork-bone broth with braised pork belly), gōyā champurū (bitter-melon stir-fry with egg), shima-dōfu (island tofu), tebichi (pig's trotters), awamori (distilled spirit) with small dishes
| Where to eat | Canteens around Shuri Castle, Kokusai-dōri / Makishi Public Market in Naha (upstairs they cook the seafood you buy) |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | At the market, agree the cooking fee first; awamori is strong — sip slowly |
| Typical price per person | JPY 1,500–2,800 ≈ CNY 68–126 |
| Tips | At the public market, ask the total price for seafood (including cooking) first; during Shuri Castle's reconstruction, food nearby is mainly local canteens. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Syced · CC0
Photos
Photos
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0
663highland · CC BY 2.5
Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
https://mainichi.jp/articles/20261014/pr2/00m/020/008000c
Travel Watch: Shuri Castle main hall opens to the public
Mainichi Shimbun / PR TIMES 2026-10-14 report on Shuri Castle's restoration https://mainichi.jp/articles/20261014/pr2/00m/020/008000c
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