Shikinaen

Shikinaen is the garden built around a secondary palace of the Rykuan Royal Family not far from Shuri Castle in Naha. Being Okinawan it includes both Japanese and Chinese styles. An earlier post on the palace, the Udun, can be found here.

Most fascinating for me was one of the bridges made out of uncut, sharp and gnarly limestone rocks.

There is also a small pavilion but unfortunately cannot be entered.

What makes the garden interesting is the exotic plants that cannot be found in mainland Japanese gardens. There are also views over Naha.

Shikinaen Udun

Shikina-en is the royal garden of the Ryukyuan royal family near Shuri castle in Naha, Okinawa. The Udun is the palace within the garden, though villa might be a better word. It is a World Heritage Site.

The Udun was constructed in the 17th Century with the garden being made later.

It has 15 rooms with the traditional red tile roof that was only allowed for the highest levels of the society.

As well as being used as a second residence, it was also used to entertain visiting dignitaries.

It was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa and recontruction finished in 1995.

Shuri Castle

Standing on a hill overlooking the modern city of Naha on the Okinawan main island, Shuri castle is a World Heritage site and probably the most visited tourist attraction on the island.

There had been a castle here since at least the 14th Century but the current one is a modern reconstruction as the original was completely destroyed in the battle of Okinawa in 1945.

It was where the Ryukyu royalty lived and controlled the international trading that built the wealth and power of the Ryukyus.

Recently renovated is the garden of the royal living quarters. Shuri was a palace as well as a fortress.

The interior of the main hall is reconstructed as it was originally with throne room etc.