Among the many places to visit in Okinawa, the iconic red Shuri Castle stands out.

The castle in Shuri is a Ryukyuan gusuku serving as the center of the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429-1879. Though it was almost completely destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, it was reconstructed and became an attraction for tourists and locals alike.

Unfortunately, tragedy would strike again in 2019, when a fire would damage the castle. Since then, there’s been a tremendous effort to bring this UNESCO World Heritage site back to its former glory.

Though repairs and renovations won’t be completed until 2026, most of the castle is still open to the public and the area surrounding this impressive castle is home to many fun attractions.

1.DON’T SKIP A TRIP TO ZUISEN DISTILLERY

A good place to stop in if you’re an awamori liquor fan is Zuisen Distillery, only a 7-minute walk from the castle’s Shurei Gate.

Awamori is a traditional Okinawan liquor with a history of over 500 years. The liquor makes for a great souvenir readily available at local markets and convenience stores, and a go-to at local bars.

During the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom, however, awamori was a special spirit distilled only by dedicated craftsmen in Akata, Sakiyama and Torihori, three areas neighboring the castle.

While many awamori distilleries today operate elsewhere, Zuisen is one of the few Awamo ri makers that remain in such a historical district.

Take a free tour and get a look at the large distilling and fermentation equipment on site, as well as watch a video on the history of awamori. In addition, and most importantly, visitors are given samples of Zuisen’s awamori offerings.

Much different from other liquors, awamori is distilled in a unique way using black koji mold called Aspergillus Awamori and Thai rice (jasmine rice), creating a distinct flavor you’ll either love or hate, according to distillery employee Riko Kobayashi.

“Some people do find it a little too strong to their liking,” Kobayashi said. “Many of our visitors try their first Awamori at our distillery.”

There are also soft liquors available for those who would like to go easy on themselves.

While touring the distillery, visitors can also browse the old signs and bottles demonstrating its history used through the years.

Things to know

• GPS Coordinates: 26.21531, 127.72057

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon-Sat.

• *Closed every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, Sundays, and Japanese national holidays.

• *Reservation required for a tour.

• For more info, check out the distillery’s website.

2.AMAGOI UTAKI AND 3.SAKIYAMA UTAKI

A 5-minute walk from the distillery sits Amagoi Utaki, a famous place of worship during the Ryukyu Kingdom. The stone shrine’s interesting horseshoe shape encircling an incense burner is eye-catching. Here, the king would pray for rain during severe droughts. According to the Shuri Castle website, this structure faces the direction of Tamagusuku Castle, a place of worship for the god or rain, located in the southern part of the island.

Sitting on a hill with a height of 132.9 m (436 feet), this location commands a superb view of the southern part of the Shuri area. Enjoy the view from the observatory.

Amagoi Utaki used to be considered one of the eight best views in the Shuri area along with spots such as Ryutan Pond and Tennyo Bridge.

Also located in the neighborhood is Sakiyama Utaki, another place of worship featuring a gate with a red door. According to Shuri Castle’s website, an administrator of Naminoue Shrine used to live there during the Ryukyu Kingdom. At the site, you will also find Sakiyama Heeja, a well where water was collected for presentation to the king on New Year’s Day.

4.ENOGASTRONOMIA GIULIETTA

Around Shuri Castle, visitors have many restaurants and café options for a quick coffee or a nice meal. Among them, enogastronomia giulietta with its red parasol out front stands out. 

This chic eatery opened in 2024 and I recently gave it a try. Inside the cozy interior are six tables for diners to sit and enjoy the large menu offering Italian delights.

During my visit, the lunch options included pasta, sauteed chicken with herbs, and a meat dish. I went with the crostone con mozzarella, mortadella, e salsa di tartufo, an open-faced sandwich with imported Italian mozzarella, mortadella ham and truffle sauce for 1,500 yen (approx. $9.81). I coupled it with an iced coffee for 500 yen.   

When the food was brought to my table, I was impressed with its beautiful presentation, especially the way the pink-colored ham was dotted with black truffle sauce. I reminded me of modern art, so much so that I even hesitated for a second before digging in.

With one bite, however, the scent and delicate sweet flavor of truffle filled my senses. This is a bit embarrassing to admit, but this crostone was my first time trying truffle.

The sauce, the soft ham and tender bread created a delectable meal I could hardly stop eating. I learned later that guilietta’s owner and chef, Teruaki Koike, trained in Italy and imported his skills to Okinawa to create the perfect morsel that made my first truffle experience an excellent one. I am a changed foodie.

To take a break in Ryukyu to enjoy Italian was like taking a second vacation, so make sure to look out for the red parasol for a delightful meal!

Things to know

• GPS Coordinates: 26.22053, 127.71694

• Hours: 11:30 a.m. -2 p.m. (lunch), 5 – 9 p.m. (Dinner), Tues. – Sat., Closed on Sun. and Mon.

• Instagram

• *Prices and menu items are subject to change.

5.KINJO-CHO STONE PAVED ROAD

After visiting these Ryukyu places of worship, take a 10-minute walk to Kinjo-cho Ishidatami Michi (stone-paved road), which runs on a downslope on the southwest side of Shuri Castle.

Running about 300 meters, it was originally a part of a road to mobilize military forces to defend what is now known as Naha Military Port.

Today, this limestone-paved road is often highlighted by the local media as an iconic landscape of good old Okinawa. It is also fun to see many plants and trees such as papaya and bougainvillea adorning the street.

Don’t miss the five special Akagi trees (bischovia javanica), each standing at about 20 meters tall and believed to be 200 years old. Here you’ll also find Uchikanagusuku-utaki, another important Ryukyuan worship site.

Things to know

Kinjo-cho stone paved road 

• GPS Coordinates: N 26.217130, E 127.716753 (North-end)

Akagi trees

• GPS Coordinates: N 26.215875, E 127.716014

6.RYUTAN POND (RYUTANIKE)

Northwest of Shuri Castle, Ryutanike (Ryutan Pond) is a good place to stop for a relaxing break. The pond is shaped like a dragon’s head and was created during King Sho Hashi’s reign (1422 to 1439) as a sort of reflecting pool for Shuri Castle.

During the Ryukyu Kingdom, envoys from China would visit and boat races on the water would entertain visitors.

Although the pond was once only accessible to royals, today it is a beloved location for tourists, locals and Muscovy ducks.

7.ENKANCHI AND BENZAITENDO 

Southeast of Ryutanike, another pond, Enkanchi, was constructed in 1502 as a reservoir for a water source in Shuri Castle, according to the castle’s website.

Enkanchi and Ryutanike are connected by a water channel running under a stone bridge called Ryuen-kyo (Ryuen Bridge). If you cross the bridge and walk along the path, you’ll eventually reach a small islet where the small temple Benzaitendo stands. This temple dating back to the early-16th Century was for storing Buddhist scripture. It was reconstructed in 1621 and a statue of Benzaiten, a god of water from India, was added. Admire the stunning view of the temple above Tennyo-bashi bridge after you cross it back to the shore of Enkanchi.

8.THE 32ND ARMY UNDERGROUND HEADQUARTERS SHELTER

This bunker used to be a stronghold of Japan’s Imperial Army during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. A total of five tunnels are connected inside, running for about one kilometer under Shuri Castle. These tunnels housed an armory, communication facility, kitchen, break room and a residential area.

Among its five entrances, Gate No. 1 is located near the south end of Ryutanike. Although access to the inner part of the tunnels is blocked by a fence, a description and a map of the tunnels are posted nearby, highlighting some of the history in the region during World War II.

Things to know

• GPS Coordinates: 26.218414, 127.717677

• *For regular-sized cars, Shuri Castle’s parking lot costs 400 yen for the first hour, 200 yen per 30 minutes after that. The maximum fee is capped at 800. There are many coin-parking around the area as well. Prepare a designated driver if you are planning on sampling Awamori at Zuisen. 

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