Shuri Castle, the royal castle of the Ryukyu Dynasty, has flourished as the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom since the end of the 14th century, and is the largest gusuku (castle) in Okinawa Prefecture.
Before the war, the main hall of the Okinawa Shrine and other buildings were designated as former national treasures, but were lost during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 and after the war.
The present building was restored in 1992, and in 2000, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as “Gusuku and related monuments of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.
Located on a hill overlooking Naha Port, which was a hub of overseas trade, it is now an urban park in the Shurijo district (commonly known as Shurijo Park) of the National Okinawa Memorial Park.
In 1999, it was awarded one of the 100 best urban landscapes. Later in 2000, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as “Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.
A late-night fire in 2019 destroyed or burned down the Shoden and many other restored buildings and artifacts that were stored and displayed.
Other cultural assets in the vicinity include Tamauraeung and Sonohyanutaki Stone Gate, both also registered as World Heritage sites, as well as the ruins of Enkakuji Temple, the family temple of the second Sho clan, the Confucius Temple for Nationalities, Yongtan, a pond where boat rides were held, and Benzaitendō, a bridge over the Tianjo (heavenly maiden).
8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Toll Area
9:00-17:30
Open all year round
Adult 400 yen
High school students 300 yen
Elementary/junior high school students 160 yen
Free for children under 6 years old
Take bus No. 1 or No. 17 on the City Line or No. 46 on the Intercity Line, get off at the Shurijo Koen Iriguchi bus stop, and walk 5 minutes to Shureimon. → 5 minutes on foot from Shurijo Park Entrance bus stop.
From Naha Bus Terminal, take bus No. 9 on the city line or No. 25 on the inter-city line, get off at Yamakawa bus stop, and walk about 15 minutes to Shureimon. → 15 min. on foot from Yamakawa bus stop
27 min. by monorail from Naha Airport Station → 15 min. on foot from Shuri Station
27 min. by monorail from Naha Airport Station → 5 min. by bus from Shuri Station *Shuri Jogei-machi Line #8