Shikinaen

Shikina-En is one of the Ryukyu Gardens, which was a villa and guest house of the Sho family, the King of Japan. Unfortunately, it was closed due to the war damage, but it was restored in the fall of 1995, and Chinese-style buildings and lanterns were revived around a pond surrounded by beautiful subtropical trees.

There is also a hexagonal hall with a Chinese atmosphere, and a stone bridge modeled after the bridges over canals in the coastal regions of southern China.

Shikinaen was also often referred to as “Shichinanu Udon” (“Palace of Shichina”) and “Nan’en” (“Southern Garden”), as it was located to the south of Shuri Castle.

It is said that the landscaping began during the Second Sho dynasty of Ryukyu (1752 - 1795), but this is not certain. It was completed in 1799 during the reign of Sho Wen.

Shikinaen was built in an eclectic style that blended Chinese and Okinawan styles. At the time of its completion, it was used as a guesthouse to receive emissaries from the Emperor of China.

There is also an observatory called “Kankodai,” but it is said that the reason it does not have a view of the ocean is to make Ryukyu look like a larger country.

Since most of the structures in the park were destroyed during World War II, what can be seen today were restored, and the construction period took from 1975 to 1995.

Designated as a national scenic spot in 1941, the park was destroyed in the war and redesignated in 1976, designated as a national special scenic spot in 2000, and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the same year.

On November 3 (Culture Day), the Shikinaen Poetry Festival is held every year, attracting many people who enjoy tanka poems. On the fourth Sunday of November, the Shikmeien Yuyuukai is held, where local traditional performing arts are presented.

The Ikutoku Spring is located on the grounds, and the Striped Chisujinori that grows there is designated as a national natural treasure.