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A Mix of Cultures
I had the fortune to visit the castle before it was destroyed due to a fire. Out of the many castles in Japan I have visited, this was definitely unique. So unique that I would not even call it a Japanese castle. The castle had parts, symbols, colours, and more from three different cultures: Ryukyu, Japanese, and Chinese. Reading in the history about how the gates would welcome ambassadors from Japan and China for trades really showed this was a castle of a kingdom of their own. Now that the castle is gone, the reason to visit would be for the beautiful park and area there. The gates are there as well, so this is still a nice visit as I have been last year. There are projects fundraising to rebuild it as well.
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on Oct 8
Shuri Castle remembrance
I had the good fortune to visit Shuri Castle a few years ago. This palace of the Ryukyu kingdom had been designated a world heritage site. Sadly, the castle suffered a devasting fire in 2019 that destroyed many of the main buildings. When I visited, a whiff of incense floated through the castle keep. I asked a castle staff member in traditional garb if they burned incense every day. He told me that every day, at an hour that the king preferred, the attendants have a ceremony of incense. In that moment, I understood that the castle was vital to the people of Okinawa. It was a living place for them, not just a museum. Outside the castle keep, I noticed a man keeping guard as a woman quietly performed a ritual in front of a shrine-like building in the castle courtyard. Nearby, young women performed a traditional dance in ethnic garb, the audience singing along. Again, I was reminded that Shuri Castle is not just a museum piece. It's a living cultural center for the people. When I learned that the castle had suffered a devastating fire in the autumn of 2019, I cried for the loss. The amazing part is that crowdfunding and government interest propel a reconstruction effort. Best wishes to the people of Naha on the restoration of this beautiful cultural stronghold.
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on Oct 25
Amazing Visit
I visited this beautiful Castle on my last day in Okinawa and I assure you it is worth visiting. I took Yui Rail Monorail and from there I enjoyed a breezy 15 minutes walk, I passed by an artist shop (worth checking). What made me know more about the castle different parts was a stamp map requiring you to stop by each part and read about it then stamping your map. It was an interesting experience and I learned alot. And on top of that, they have one of the most amazing souvenirs shop I have ever encountered in Japan. I spent money there with ultimate pleasure. It took me two hours to go around the castle and afterwards I had nice lunch at the castle's restaurants area.
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on Nov 29
Shurijo castle
One of the island's most famous attractions is Shurijo Castle in the heart of Naha. Unlike other Japanese castles, this looks completely different. It is wrapped in a beautiful red and has a very tropical look. The Shurijo Castle served as the center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, from where the region's politics were managed. With architectural influences from China and Japan, the castle displays its extraordinary cultural and historical values in unique brickwork and architectural design. Shurijo was named a World Heritage Site in December 2000. Unfortunately, the main building was just under construction during my visit, but it was disguised so that you hardly noticed that you did not see the original castle. I liked the most the red tiled roofs and the small gardens everywhere. Also the castle walls reminded me to the Chinese wall. Most of the castle park can be entered for free. if you want to see the main buildings and also the exhibition you need to pay an entrance fee of 820 Yen.
JapanRamen
on Oct 9