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.