Shurijo Castle--reconstructed by popular demand
Shurijo Castle was burnt down during World War II, but by demand of the people the building was replicated.
The reconstruction was completed in November of 1992 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japan.
Okinawa was a region in constant battle among clans who fought for power until King Sho Hashi unified the region as the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1429.
Since then the castle was occupied by the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom for 450 years.
In 1879 the clan system was abolished to be replaced by the prefectural system, and it was then that the castle was surrendered.
Shurijo Castle served an important role in the history of Ryukyu and stood as a symbol of prosperity.
It suffered three episodes of deconstruction and it was not until the mid 18th century that the full structure was completed.
The castle stretches approximately 400 meters from east to west and 270 meters from north to south, taking up about 50,000 square meters.
The premises are divided into the outer belt and the inner belt, and within the inner belt is the main hall, north hall and south hall along the unah garden.
It is said that reception ceremonies for the Chinese sakuhoushi representatives were held in the unah garden.
After the latest reconstruction the castle has been opened to the public as the Shurijo Castle Park.
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