Walking around Shuri is indispensable for sightseeing in Okinawa! Recommended 7 Spots

Shuri Castle you want to visit once when you come to Okinawa. Located on a hill overlooking Naha city, Shuri Castle Ruins, along with other Okinawan Castle, was registered as the 11th World Heritage in Japan. In the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, all buildings were burned down by American attacks, but were restored in 1992.

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

The gate of Morirei appears on the way to Shuri Castle. "Sireinokuni" written on the forehead of the gate means that Ryukyu is a country that respects etiquette. In front of the gate of Morire is full of tourists, so early in the morning is recommended if you want to take pictures without people. In the immediate vicinity, there is also a photo shop where you can wear colorful costumes from the Ryukyu dynasty and shoot (pay). There are many types of costumes, so you may be wondering which one to wear. Here's one of the memories with Moriremon in the background!

"Shurikinjochou's cobblestone road" is located about a 5-minute walk from Shuri Castle. It was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Roads as 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 laid are disturbed parlors that combine large and small Ryukyu limestone, and it is safe to stroll with easy-to-walk shoes because they are rugged.

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

If you go down the cobblestone, you will find a free resting place called Kanagusukumuraya, a traditional Okinawan red tile building. The cobblestones are steep slopes, so it is recommended to take a break here if you get tired while strolling around Shuri. There is a banyan tree on the cobblestone road in front of the house, which also serves as a shade. It is usually used as a meeting place for neighborhood associations, but it has smoking spaces, toilets, vending machines, etc., and is open to the public.
There is no free parking lot around the cobblestone road, so check the coin parking near Shurijo Park in advance before going.

Located a 5-minute walk from the gate of Shuri Castle Mamoru, Tama-dopon is a tomb where the royal family of the Ryukyu dynasty sleeps. It was registered in World Heritage in December 2000 and was founded in 1501 by King Shoshin, the third generation king. The center was the room where the remains before the bones were laid, and the east was the king and queen after the bones were washed, and to the west, the royal family was buried. The Shisa on the tower is different from what you see in the city, so it is one of the pleasures to look for it.

"Shuri Ryusen" is located on the hill of Shuri and is a shop where you can experience coral dyeing and red dyeing. It is also attractive to be able to take home what you make immediately. Coral dyeing is an original experience that can only be done with Ryuzen. You can choose one from a T-shirt, furoshiki, or tote bag, and experience it by dyeing using the cross section of the coral. Why don't you make only one original item in the world?

"Bukubuku tea specialty store ancient capital Shuri Kae" is a 5-minute walk from Shuri Castle. You can experience making the traditional Okinawan bukubuku tea by yourself. It is said that bukubuku tea has not only the meaning of bubble bukubuku, but also the meaning of "fuku" where fortune overlaps. The trick is to whisk the tea water in the bowl so that it can be aired with a tea whisk. A large amount of foam comes out, so put the formed foam in a bowl and hold it with both hands and drink it.

"Yamashiro Manju" is a famous bun shop that has been around for a long time, near Ryutanike in Shuri. Wrap the hand-made tsubuan made by adding sugar and syrup firmly with a skin dissolved in water. Put it on the leaves of the covered moon peach and steam it for more than 30 minutes to make it. When you eat the standing, the mouth has a moderate sweetness and the scent of moon peach spreads out and is exquisite.

"Shuri Iroha Garden" is a 10-minute walk from Shuri Castle. You can relax slowly in a calm shop that has been renovated from a house. You can eat dishes that are particular about Okinawan ingredients, including Kingdom of ryukyu's court cuisine and Okinawa's home cooking, and have been registered as Okinawa's "Okinawa Food Store". The popular menu for dinner is a total of 14 morirei set meals such as Inamurachi, Mimiger, and Fuchan Puru.