Shuri Castle is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Islands, to the east of Naha City. It is a typical example of Ryukyuan-style architecture, with construction dating back to between the late 13th and 14th centuries. From the 15th to the 19th century, Shuri Castle served as the capital and royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, boasting a history of over 500 years. In the year 2000, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The castle is built on a limestone plateau approximately 120 meters high, measuring about 350 meters in length from east to west and about 200 meters in width from north to south. To the north of the castle lie hills such as Sueyoshi Hill, Mt. Tora, and Mt. Benno; to the south are the Kinjo River and Shikina Hills, while the area below the castle consists of urban neighborhoods. The identity of Shuri Castle’s original builder remains a subject of debate among Japanese archaeologists—some researchers believe it was first constructed by King Satto of Chūzan, while others argue that it was built by King Shō Hashi after relocating the capital from Urasoe to Shuri.
