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Historical Monument Spots in Okinawa Area

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  • Shurijo Castle Park (Shurijo Castle)
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    4.0
    205 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Okinawa Pref. Nahashi Shurikinjouchou 1-2
    Shuri Castle, built in the early 15th century, was the residence of the kings beginning with King Shobashi, who unified the Ryukyu Islands. Along with the restored buildings, some of the walls still retain the stone masonry from those days.

    Beautiful castle, lucky to be still standing after multiple fires over the centuries. There were dancers/entertainment in the grounds when we were there. A couple of gift shops and a cafe...

    Shurijo Castle Park (Shurijo Castle) image
  • The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters
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    4.5
    418 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Pref. Tomigusukushi Tomigusuku 236
    The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters is an underground bunker complex constructed in 1944. There were around 450 meters of tunnels in total; the aim was to enable the defense of Okinawa to be carried on for as long as possible. The underground complex held a total of around 4,000 personnel; many lives were lost here. In 1970, 300 meters of the tunnels (including the command center) were restored, and opened to the public. There is a museum with a display of items recovered from the underground bunker complex, including weapons, uniforms, letters written to family members, etc.

    Was o.k., but (my opinion) painted a horrible picture of the U.S. during the war when in fact mainland Japan didnt exactly treat the Okinwans as equals during this time.

    The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters image
  • Nakamura Family Resident
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    4.0
    124 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Pref. Nakagamigunkitanakagusukuson Ogusuku 106
    This house has all of the characteristics of pre-war Okinawan residential buildings, and has been designated a national Important Cultural Property. It is rare on Okinawa’s main island for there to be an example of such premises in good condition, and it is a valuable monument to know about the lives of upper-class farmers at that time. Built in the middle of the 18th century, it is a wooden building with a hip roof and tile roofing.

    I walked the Kitanakagusuku Route and this was the main attraction. The Nakamura Family Residence is a well preserved traditional style home. It was great to see what traditional homes looked like...

    Nakamura Family Resident image
  • Takara Residence
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    4.0
    29 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Shimajiri-gun Zamamison Geruma
    A historic building in Geruma, Zamami Village, Shimajiri County. It was the home of a clan who served as captains of the government boats in the Ryukyu Islands. The house was built in the latter half of the 19th century, and the former thatched roof was replaced by a red tile roof during the Taisho Period (1912-1926). It is the oldest of the traditional-style houses still standing on the smaller islands in the Ryukyu chain, and it has been designated a National Important Cultural Property.

    Beautiful old house with tatami mats and sliding silk screen doors in a little hamlet of utter quietness.

  • Shureimon Gate
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa prefecture Naha city Shuri Shuri Castle Park
    “Shurei” means “observing manners” and “a nation which observes manners” is written on the horizontal frame at the center of Shureimon Gate. It means “Ryukyu is a nation which respects manners”. It is a beautiful gate representing Shuri Castle which is a World Heritage site and was built around 1527 to 1555. It was destroyed during the Pacific War but restored later in 1958.
    Shureimon Gate image
  • Miyaradunchi
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Pref. Ishigakishi Okawa 178
    Located in Okawa, Ishigaki City, it is a residence from the period of the Ryukyu kingdom. It is said to have been constructed as a former residence of the Shuri nobility, and the building has a red tiled roof which is typical of Okinawa. Toen Miyara who was an appointed official of the Miyara Magiri district administered its construction in and around 1819. The building has been designated as an Important Cultural Property and the gardens are a national-designated Place of Scenic Beauty.
    Miyaradunchi image
  • Kankaimon Gate
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa prefecture Naha city Shuri Shuri Castle Park
    Kankaimon Gate was the main entrance to Shuri-jo Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This was the entrance through which “Sakuhoshi”, (Chinese envoys, also known as “Sapposhi”) would pass when granted an audience with the Ryukyuan King; the name “Kankaimon” (“Gate of Welcome”) reflects this. The Gate was destroyed by fire during the Second World War, but was rebuilt in 1974. Shisa statues stand on either side of the Gate to ward off evil spirits.
    Kankaimon Gate image
  • Sonohyan Utaki Stone Gate
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa prefecture Naha city Shuri Shuri Castle Park
    Sonohyan Utaki Stone Gate made from Ryukyu limestone is a place of worship where the emperor used to pray for his safety when going out. During the Pacific War, a part of the building was destroyed, but it was restored in 1957. In 2000, it was designated as a World Heritage Site. Though it is in the shape of a gate, it is not for people to walk through but is more of a “gate for worship” to God.
    Sonohyan Utaki Stone Gate image
  • Benzaitendo House and Enkanchi Pond
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa prefecture Naha city Shuri Shuri Castle Park
    Benzaitendo House and Enkanchi Pond are cultural properties located inside the Shuri Castle Park in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. Enkanchi Pond is a manmade pond which was built in 1502 to collect spring water and rainwater within Shuri Castle. Benzaitendo is a red-roofed shrine located in the middle of Enkanchi Pond which enshrines Benzaiten, a water goddess controlling safe sea voyages.
    Benzaitendo House and Enkanchi Pond image
  • Gongendo Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Ishigaki-shi Ishigaki 285
    This shrine is located next to Torinji Temple in Ishigaki, Ishigaki City. The shrine was established in 1614 on advice of the Satsuma Domain. The current shrine building, which was built in 1786, is the oldest extant wooden structure in Okinawa Prefecture. This valuable example of shrine architecture incorporating style elements unique to the Ryukyu Islands has been designated as a national important cultural property.
  • Uezu House
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Shimajiri-gun Kumejimacho Nishi Mei 816
    A historic building located in Nishime, Kumeijima Town, Shimajiri County. It was the home of the Uezu clan, an aristocratic family whose members served as village mayors for generations during the period of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The house was built in the 1750s. It is said to be the oldest remaining traditional house in Okinawa, and it has been designated a National Important Cultural Property.
  • Old Sogen-ji Temple, Stone Wall
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Naha-shi Tomari 1-9-1
    This historical structure is located in Tomari 1-Chome, Naha City. It is an arched stone gate remaining in the ruins of Sogen-ji Temple, which was a national mausoleum where the spirits of each generation of Ryukyu Kingdom were venerated. It is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. During the Ryukyu Kingdom period, the ceremony for venerating the previous king before a new king was coronated was performed at Sogen-ji Temple.
    Old Sogen-ji Temple, Stone Wall image
  • Coat Mori
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Yaeyama-gun Taketomicho Hateruma
    These ruins are in Hateruma, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County. It was one of the guard posts constructed on each island for monitoring the coming and going of boats around the islands during the Ryukyu Kingdom period, and it is said that fire signals were used to send information. From the high platform made by piling up Ryukyu limestone blocks, you gain a wide view of Hateruma Island and the vast surrounding sea.
    Coat Mori image
  • Kin Kannonji (Kin Shline)
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    4.0
    16 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Okinawa Kunigami-gun Kin Cho Kin 222

    和歌山県の熊野から漂流し流れついた僧侶が開山した高野山のお寺です。伝統的な沖縄の赤い瓦が青空によく映えます。洞窟へもお参りできます。暗いので懐中電灯があったほうがよいです。山門前に駐車場があります。

Okinawa
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Let go of your image of a busy, ordered Japan and replace it with crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and relaxing folk music: You’ve arrived in Okinawa. A world away from the high intensity of Tokyo, Okinawans appear to live a laid-back beach life on this paradisiacal tropical island that lies in the middle of the East China Sea almost 1,000 kilometers south of mainland Japan’s most southern tip. Home to a spattering of islands, prepare yourself to discover underwater caves, star-shaped sand, and an island culture sometimes unrecognizable from mainland Japan.

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