Shikina-en Garden
Okinawa, Japan
Shuri Castle, Okinawa
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Photo: Renate Hano, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Hours
- April–November: free area 8:00–19:30, paid area 8:30–19:00 (last entry 18:30); December–March: 8:00–18:30 and 8:30–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Entry until 21.11.2026
- ¥400; high school ¥300; schoolchildren ¥160
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Entry from 23.11.2026
- ¥1,000; high school ¥760; schoolchildren ¥370
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Inside the Seiden
- From 23.11.2026, with a dated, timed ticket
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Closed
- 22 November 2026 all day; 23 November until noon
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Paid area hours
- 8:30–19:00 to November; 8:30–18:00 from December
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Getting there
- Yui Rail to Shuri, about 15 minutes on foot
Key facts
Ryukyuthe kingdom whose palace Shuri was
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oki-park.jp2000the year it was listed by UNESCO
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oki-park.jp23.11.2026the rebuilt Seiden hall opens
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oki-park.jp400 × 200 mthe size of the castle on its hill
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oki-park.jp120–130 mheight of the hill above the sea
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oki-park.jpShureimonthe gate on the ¥2,000 note
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oki-park.jpUkejoa morning gate-opening rite at Hoshinmon
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oki-park.jp¥1,000entry from 23 November 2026
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oki-park.jpWhat is Shuri Castle?
Shuri Castle, Shuri-jo, was the palace of the Ryukyu kings, who ruled Okinawa and neighbouring islands for centuries. It stands on a hill 120–130 metres above Naha and covers about 400 by 200 metres. It was the kingdom's centre of politics, diplomacy and culture, and the castle blends Japanese and Chinese traditions. In 2000 it became part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A sequence of limestone gates and walls leads to the palace: the famous Shureimon — the gate of the 'Land of Propriety', pictured on the ¥2,000 note — and then Kankaimon, guarded by stone shisa lions. The main throne hall, the Seiden, the kingdom's largest building, has been rebuilt from scratch and opens to the public on 23 November 2026.
Tickets and hours
According to the official site, until 21 November 2026 entry to the paid area costs ¥400 for adults, ¥300 for high-schoolers and ¥160 for schoolchildren; from 23 November it's ¥1,000, ¥760 and ¥370. Under-6s go free. The price is the same with or without a visit inside the Seiden.
From April to November the free area with its gates opens 8:00 to 19:30 and the paid area 8:30 to 19:00 (last entry 18:30). From December to March it's 8:00–18:30 and 8:30–18:00 (last entry 17:30). Tickets are sold at the Kofukumon gate office and online; cards and e-money are accepted.
What to see
- The Shureimon gate — a symbol of Okinawa.
- The Kankaimon gate with stone shisa.
- The Seiden throne hall — from 23 November 2026.
- The Iri-no-Azana viewpoint — a view over Naha.
- Agari-no-Azana — a view of Kudaka Island.
- The Ukejo rite — the morning gate opening.
How to get to Shuri Castle
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- Yui Rail monorail — to Shuri station, then about 15 minutes on foot.
- Gibo station — on the same line, also about 15 minutes.
- From Naha Airport — monorail to Shuri, about 30 minutes.
- From Kokusai-dori — monorail from Makishi or Kencho-mae, about 15 minutes.
- By car — parking at the Suimui-kan centre, up to 3 hours.
Shuri Castle or Shikina-en Garden
| Shuri Castleyou are here | The royal palace | Gates, walls, the Seiden | ¥1,000 from 23.11.2026 | 1.5–2 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shikina-en | The kings' country residence | Pond, bridges, villa | A small fee | 45 minutes |
How long do you need?
Allow 1.5–2 hours for the castle: walk the free area with its gates and viewpoints, then enter the paid area for the Seiden and the halls showing how the palace was rebuilt. If you're visiting the Seiden interior, arrive for the time on your ticket.
Every morning at the Hoshinmon gate a short rite called Ukejo takes place — a ceremonial opening of the gates as in the kingdom's day. Arrive by 8:30 to see it.
You can rest at the Shuri-jo Chaya tea house: for ¥800 it serves sanpin jasmine tea with four traditional Ryukyu sweets. Near the castle are the Ryutan and Enkanchi ponds, and the Tamaudun royal mausoleum is five minutes' walk away.
Is Shuri Castle worth visiting?
Yes: it's Okinawa's main sight, and with the Seiden opening in November 2026, more so than ever.
The YesGo take: in the first weeks after the Seiden opens it will be very crowded, and tickets for the interior may sell out. Book ahead, or come later, in December. The free part with its gates and view over Naha is good in itself — if you're short on time, start there.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Naha in a day
Shuri Castle and the Ukejo rite in the morning, the royal Shikina-en garden at midday, and Kokusai-dori and Makishi Market in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Shuri Castleyou are here2 h · ¥400; from 23.11.2026 ¥1,000
- 26 min walk from the previous stopShikina-en Garden45 min · ≈ ¥400
- 53 min walk from the previous stopKokusai-dori1 h 30 min · free
3 places · about 5 h 34 min with walks · 79 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- From 23 November 2026 — ¥1,000.
- Seiden interior — with a dated ticket.
- Closed on 22 November 2026.
- The Ukejo rite — around 8:30.
- At midday: Shikina-en Garden.
Questions
How much is entry to Shuri Castle?
¥400 until 21 November 2026, ¥1,000 for adults from 23 November.
When does the Seiden open?
On 23 November 2026, from 12:00.
Do I need to book?
To see inside the Seiden — yes, a dated, timed ticket at no extra charge.
What are the opening hours?
Paid area 8:30–19:00 to November, 8:30–18:00 from December to March.
What is free?
The area with the Shureimon and Kankaimon gates and the viewpoints.
How do I get there?
Yui Rail to Shuri station, then about 15 minutes on foot.
How long do you need?
1.5–2 hours.
When is it closed?
All day on 22 November 2026, and until noon on 23 November.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Park official site (oki-park.jp/shurijo) — prices before and after 23.11.2026, Seiden booking, seasonal hours, closures, gates, the Ukejo rite, tea house, dimensions (checked 09.11.2026)
- English Wikipedia: Shuri Castle — the Ryukyu Kingdom, UNESCO
- Wikidata Q907052 — coordinates
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