Sightseeing

A World Heritage Site　Glory of The Ryukyu Kingdom

The gardens of Shikina-en were laid out in 1799. They are the largest gardens of the Ryukyu royalty’s, and were used for the reception of an envoy from China the following year.
The gardens were also referred to as Southern Gardens as they are located to the south of Shuri-jyo Castle.
The gardens were made in a blend of Japanese and Chinese design, including Chinese-style arched bridges, a large circular pond with several islands, wooden palace, an observatory as well as the walkways paved in Ryukyuan limestone.
The gardens were completely destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1941, and had been restored taking over 20 years of from 1875 to 1996.
First designated for protection in 1941 in accordance with the 1919 law, in 1976 the gardens were once again designated a Place of Scenic Beauty, redesignated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 2000 and included within the inscription of the UNESCO Wprld Heritage Site Gusuku Sites and related properties of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The Gardens of Shikina are a 42,000 square meter property with the total space occupied by the Goten main pavilion and other structures being 643 square meters.

Ikutokusen

Ikutokusen is the source of the pond water in Shikina-en. It is composed of two wells and surrounded by piles of Ryukyuan limestone in Aikata-zumi style.

Udun

After passing by Ikutokusen, a carpet of grass streches out with Udun standing on the left side. Udun has 15 rooms all connected though it seems to be seperated from its appearance. The traditional red tiles are used for the roof, wood floor for the hall and tatami for the rooms. It has 15 rooms with the traditional red tile roof.

Ishibashi Bridges

On the pond there is a small island linked by arched stoned bridges made with Ryukyuan limestone.

Rokkakudo

The Rokkakudo, a hexagonal building stands on the small island in the pond. It is built in Chinese style architecture with use of black tiles for its roof that differs from Udun with red tile roof. It is known that it had been square during Meiji era, but unknown when it had been rebuilt into the current hexagon.