Time of the visit: 24+25+27th of june,2025

Naha is a somewhat over-the-top city and has American elements to it ... something untypical of Japan..it feels more like Hawai.

I first visited the Shuri Castle.I took one of the monorail trains and got off at the stop "Shuri station"

From there I walked to the castle,but had to flee into a small Japanese restaurant when the sky opened its gates flooding the streets with heavy rain.I was trapped in the restaurant for 45 minutes before the rain turned into a light drizzle.

Shuri Castle is a historic Ryukyuan gusuku (castle) located in Naha, Okinawa's capital. Once the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429–1879), it served as the political, cultural, and diplomatic heart of the islands.

Perched on a hill overlooking Naha, Shuri Castle combines traditional Ryukyuan architectural style with influences from Chinese and Japanese design, reflecting the kingdom’s position as a hub of maritime trade and diplomacy in East Asia.
At the center of the complex stood the Seiden (Main Hall) — an elegant wooden structure where royal ceremonies, audiences, and important state rituals took place.

Shuri Castle was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, later reconstructed in 1992, and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.” Tragically, a major fire in 2019 destroyed much of the reconstructed main hall, but restoration work is actively ongoing, with efforts to faithfully rebuild it using traditional methods and materials.
Most parts of the area were still accessible to tourists,or so I thought,but I didn't consider the Japanese'excessive overcaution. The sun had long since returned, but there were still small puddles... someone might slip. Parts of the castle walkways were closed off. Absurd. I wasn't amused at all

Due to the rainfall there were no lines or crowds.However, there were plenty of costumed guards At the 2nd level was an information center where a video of the castle rebuilt progress is shown. Of course this doesnt make up for not being able to go around the main hall.It really took me 1 hour or so to complete the whole journey of the Castle boundary in and outside the castle itself. It also provides panoramic views of Okinawa . All in all it must be said that the visit was extremely unsatisfactory.At the entrance of the castle is the Sonohyan Utaki Ishimon gate which marks the entrance to Sonohyan Utaki, a sacred grove used for royal prayers during the Ryukyu Kingdom era.I took some pics of the gates and observed it for 2-3 min. before heading to the Tamaudan Mausoleum Park -just a stone's throw away from the castle-to explore everything there, which includes the restored tombs, a small museum displaying royal artifacts, and interpretive exhibits about Ryukyuan burial customs and architecture.Mildly interesting.There were no visitors apart from me.

I also visited the Sefa-Utaki site that day. Without a doubt the most crowded and touristic place of all components I visited on Okinawa.Sefa-Utaki is the most sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, where royal priestesses prayed to the gods for peace and prosperity.

Our fellow member Matejicek has described the site very well.

On the 27 th on my way back from the YamburaNP I visited the Nakijin Castle. I like castle ruins, but I had my baggage with me, small as it was it was still a burden with the scorching sun. I only stayed for an hour because the heat was getting to me. On the way back I noticed that the bus would be stopping near the Shikinaen Garden. A pleasant surprise. The bus's air conditioning gave me back my energy. The friendly women at the entrance ticket office took my luggage into custody. Conveniently, right next to the ticket office there is a mini-bakery with delicacies. You had to eat them in front of the garden entrance, though. No food was allowed inside the garden.The Shikinaen Garden is a historic royal garden of the Ryukyu Kingdom, featuring ponds, pavilions, and traditional Okinawan landscaping.

There weren't many visitors there, and it doesn't take more than 30 minutes to see everything, but the atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing, so you'll want to stay longer.

None of the components I've seen are enchanting, but they teach you something about that little known Ryukyu kingdom, and leave you satisfied to have seen a new World Heritage site. Nothing more and nothing less.