Shuri-jo

Shuri-jo Review

The sprawling, grandiose seat of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom is as reminiscent of Beijing's Forbidden City as Kyoto's Imperial Palace and deserves an afternoon of exploration. A marvel for the eyes from the bright red walls and roof tiles to the massive gray and white walls ringing the vast stone courtyard, the original 15th-century castle was once part of an even more extensive property, but was mostly leveled during World War II when the Japanese Imperial Army made the complex its local headquarters. After reconstruction in 1992, Shuri-jo was named a UNESCO world heritage sight. A 10-minute walk from Shuri station, the last stop on the monorail; follow the signs from the station.