Okinawa: Shurijo Castle & Tamaudun Guided Tour - UNESCO Site

Begin your journey at Shurijo Castle, the former royal court and spiritual center of the Ryukyu Kingdom. From the 15th century, it served as the seat of King Sho Hashi, who unified the three regional powers of Okinawa and established a kingdom that prioritized peace and international openness over war. The castle was designed not as a fortress, but as a palace of diplomacy and sacred authority, characterized by vermilion buildings, Chinese-inspired details, and gracefully curved limestone walls.

Just a short walk from Shurijo stands Tamaudun, the royal mausoleum constructed in the early 16th century to enshrine the kings and queens of Ryukyu. Built from Ryukyuan limestone and surrounded by thick stone walls, this solemn site offers insight into Ryukyuan views on death, ancestral reverence, and dynastic continuity. Its proximity to the castle reinforces the sacred connection between governance and spiritual lineage.

Also included in this experience is a walk down the Kinjo Stone-Paved Road, an atmospheric slope paved with traditional Ryukyuan stone. Lined with forested paths, old homes, and stone walls, it allows visitors to physically step into the textures of daily life in the old capital.

Though the central Seiden (Main Hall) of Shurijo Castle was tragically destroyed by fire in 2019, restoration is now underway using historical documents and traditional craftsmanship. Multiple Utaki (sacred sites) still remain on the castle grounds, and from the highest point behind the Seiden, visitors can gaze toward Kudaka Island, a site revered in Ryukyuan mythology as the spiritual birthplace of life.

Choose an optional early morning version that allows you to witness the rare and solemn Opening Gate Ceremony, held only at sunrise. Another option allows you to start the tour directly from Naha Airport, where your guide will meet you at the monorail station and accompany you to Shurijo Castle.