Shuri is indispensable for sightseeing in Okinawa! 7 recommended spots

Shuri Castle I would like to visit once when I come to Okinawa. Located on a hill overlooking Naha city, Shuri Castle ruins were the 11th registered in World Heritage along with other Okinawan Castle in Japan. During the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, all buildings were burned down by the US attack, but were restored in 1992.

※Unfortunately, Shuri Castle's main building was destroyed by fire in October 2019, but the restoration site and process of the main hall, which is scheduled to be completed in 2026 are open to the public. It is only now that you can see Shuri Castle, which is changing every day.

On the way to Shuri Castle is the gate of the guardian. "Shureinokuni" written on the forehead of the gate means Ryukyu means that Ryukyu is a country that values etiquette. The front of the gate is full of tourists, so if you take a picture without anyone, it is recommended to take an early morning. There is also a photo shop nearby where you can take pictures (pay) colorful costumes from the Ryukyu dynasty. There are so many types of costumes, so you may be wondering which one to wear. Be sure to have a piece of memories with the gate!

About 5 minutes walk from Shuri Castle, "Shurikijo-cho Ishidatami" is located about a 5-minute walk from Shuri Castle. It was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Roads at a designated historic site in Okinawa Prefecture. The cobblestone road covered with Ryukyu limestone was built around 1522 and is 300 meters long and 4 meters wide. The cobblestones are disturbed floors that combine large and small Ryukyu limestone, and it is safe to take a walk with shoes that are easy to walk.

Walk about 6 minutes on the cobblestone road, you will arrive at Dai Akagi in Shuri Kaneshiro. In the past, many Akagis were naturally growing in Shuri, but they were burned in the Battle of Okinawa. Here you can see Akagi, which escapes the war and miraculously remain.

Further down the cobblestones, you will find a free resting place called Kanagusukumuraya, a traditional red tile building in Okinawa. Cobblestones have a steep slope, so if you get tired while walking around Shuri, it is recommended to take a break here. There is a banyan tree on the cobblestone road in front of the house, which can also be a sunshade. It is usually used as a meeting place for the Neighborhood Association, but it is open to the public with smoking spaces, toilets, vending machines, etc.
There is no free parking lot around the cobblestone road, so check the coin parking near Shurijo Park in advance before going.

Tamadopan, a 5-minute walk from the gate of Shuri Castle Mauri, is a tomb where the royal family of the Ryukyu dynasty sleep. It was registered with World Heritage in December 2000, and was founded in 1501 by the third generation King, King Sang Shinshin. In the center, the room where the remains before the bone washing were laid, to the east, the king and queen after the bone washing, and the family of the royal family were buried. The Shisa on the tower is different from what you see in the city, so searching for it is one of the pleasures.

Shuri Ryusen is a shop located on a hill in Shuri and is a shop where you can experience coral dyeing and red dyeing. It is also attractive to be able to bring home what you make immediately. Coral dyeing is an original experience that can only be done by Ryu dyeing. You can choose one from T-shirts, furoshiki, and tote bags, and use the coral cross section to dye. Why don't you make only one original item in the world?

"Bukubuku tea specialty store" is a 5-minute walk from Shuri Castle. You can experience making bubbles on your own with Okinawan traditional nabbukubuku tea. Fukubuku tea includes not only the meaning of bubbles, but also the meaning of "fortune" in which fortune overlaps. The trick is to whisk the tea water in the pot as if it is aired with a whisk. A large amount of foam comes out, so put the foam in a tea bowl and hold it with both hands and drink.

"Yamashiro Manju" is located near Ryutanike in Shuri, and is a famous bun shop that has been around for a long time. Wrap the handmade tsubuan made by adding sugar and syrup firmly with skin melted with Meriken flour. Put it on the leaves of the moon peach and steam it for more than 30 minutes to make it. When you eat freshly made, the scent of moon peaches spreads in your mouth with moderate sweetness and is exquisite.

"Shuri Iroha Garden" is a 10-minute walk from Shuri Castle. It is available to relax slowly in a calm shop that has been renovated. You can eat dishes that focus on Okinawan ingredients, from Kingdom of ryukyu's court dishes and Okinawa home cooking. The popular dinner menu is a total of 14 dishes such as Inamulchi, Mimigar, and Huchanpuuru.