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| International top > World Heritage | |
World Heritage Sights in OkinawaAmong representative historical constructions in Okinawa, five Gusuku (castles) and their related properties were designated as “World Heritage Sites” in 2000. The official name is “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu” and this is the 11th designation as a “World Heritage Site” in Japan. |
■Shuri castle
Shuri castle was a palace of Chuzan, one of the three kingdoms before the Ryukyu Kingdom was unified. After the unification, the central government was placed in Chuzan and worked as the center of politics and culture. It is reported the shape of the castle we see today was constructed in late 14th century, when the first Sho Dynasty ruled the Ryukyu Kingdom and officially started trade with China The castle, however, was destroyed during WWⅡ. The current building is a reconstruction, completed in 1992.
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■Stone gate of Sunuhyan-utaki
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■Tama-udun
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■Shikina-en garden
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■Sefa-utaki
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■Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
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■Katsuren Castle Ruins
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■Zakimi Castle Ruins
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■Nakijin Castle Ruins
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This stone gate, built in 1519, is located between Shurei-mon gate and Kankai-mon gate of Shuri castle. The grove behind the gate was a sacred area for the Ryukyu Kings. This area was used by the kings to pray for a safe trip.
The Tamaudun is a royal mausoleum built in 1501 by Sho-shin, the third king of the second Sho Dynasty. Distinctive design of Ryukyu’s stone construction can be seen. Miraculously, some parts of Tamaudun survived from the attack during the WWⅡ and were reconstructed in 1977.
Shikina-en garden is located in Shkina, Naha city. The garden, built in 1799, was utilized as a rest house of the Ryukyu kings. It also played an important role to entertain Sapposhi, envoys from the Chinese government. The garden was strongly influenced by 17th and 18th Japanese and Chinese gardens. Here, visitors can see distinctively world blends of Japanese, Chinese and Ryukyu culture.
Sefa-utaki is the most sacred praying site in Okinawa. Men, even Kings, were not allowed to be in this area during special ceremonies. A female ceremony master, Kikoe-okimi, held great authority here.
This is the second most famous castle after Shuri castle in Okinawa. Nakagusuku castle was constructed by Gosamaru, one of the best architects in Okinawa history. The beauty of the stone walls, wells, praying spots as well as the sacred grove for rain-making rituals create a holy atmosphere.
Katsuren castle ruins sit upon a hill at the base of Katsuren Peninsula. This castle was constructed during the period when the Ryukyu Kingdom was established by Amawari, (also called Kimutaka-no-Amawari by local residents). The elegance of this castle ruins was compared to Kyoto and Nara in the “Omorososhi”, the literary masterpiece of ancient ballads from the Okinawa and Amami Island.
Zakimi castle sits upon a small hill, 150 meter high, in Yomitan village, the central part of Okinawa Island. It is said a well-known architect, Gosamaru, constructed this castle. The beauty of the piled-stone gates, the balance of the firmness, grace of the stone walls, and dignity of the construction all make this castle special.
Nakijin castle ruins are located on a small hill, 90-100 meters high, in the northern part of Okinawa Island. It was constructed before the unification of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the period which is called a turbulent age in Okinawan history. The exact year of the construction is unknown, however, some historical document shows that it had already been built by 1383.