Shurijo Castle Park

Seiden Hall (Main Hall)

Center of political and ceremonial activities involving the king himself.

Well we weren't here long before we took our first bus tour. It was a great way to get off base and really see something, with out us having to drive ourselves, or figure out where we were going. It was of course hot, but a really neat trip.

Okinawa is part of the Ryukyu Islands, and Shurijo Castle was the center for all the political, economy and culture of Ryukyu Kingdom. As well as home to the royal family.

It is a double walled castle, it was influenced by both Japanese and Chinese architecture but has unique Ryukyuan style and construction techniques. The castle had been destroyed by fire and rebuilt three times before being destroyed again during World War ll because it had been used for Japanese army headquarters.

The King's throne.

Okinawa Samurai. You can tell their rank by their hat color.

Seiden Hall is the main building of the whole castle compound, but there are many more. Check out http://www.shurijo.com/ if you want to see more info. It was a really cool place.

After we were able to see some traditional Ryukyuan dancers. They are so precise in their movements it's amazing. From where we were sitting I kept trying to get both of them into the photo frame at the same time, but they moved so perfectly with each other, they never came even an inch closer to each other than they had originally started. The outfits were of course gorgeous.

After the dancers were done, we were off to another part of the city. We stopped off at the Naha Main Mall for lunch. It's the second mall we have been in, the other being just outside the base. Both were very similar. It's a mall, but really more like a large department store as it wasn't all different shops, most of it was just open. There were some enclosed shops, but most of it was just open. The first floor was mainly made up of restaurants, Starbucks, and a large grocery store. I had been in the grocery store at the mall by base, it was so neat I made David go look. I'll post more about that another time. Anyway, we didn't have much time, and it was a busy Saturday, so we just ate in the mall food court. Along with the Japanese food was a McDonald's, a KFC and an A&W Rootbeer, plus a few other things. Lunch was incredible. David and I both ended up getting the same thing. Collin, being Mr. Adventurous, got a chicken nugget Happy Meal of course. Oh well, we have three years to work on him!

This was our lunch. It was some of the best Japanese food we've ever had, and it was only MALL food! And those are real stoneware bowls and spoons people! Not plastic made to look like the real thing. It was so good!

After we went to Shikinaen Royal Garden. It also has Chinese as well as Japan and Ryukyuan style architecture.

This is the Udun, which was sort of a summer home/palace. It was also where Chinese delegates visiting would be entertained. It over looks a pond with a small hexagonal building on a small island. It is "a place for rest". You have to cross three stone bridges to get to the island. Chinese style bridges are made from stone, while Japanese style bridges are made from wood. The last bridge is cut from a single block of Ryukyu limestone.

So that was our first tour. It was a great way to sort of get some bearings and see things without the stress of trying to drive ourselves there. At the time, we were still getting the hang of the whole driving thing (more to come on that later!). For what you get they are reasonably priced as well. We are going on another tour this weekend, so eventually you'll see more pictures of that as well.

Please check out the rest of our photos at our snapfish album at http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=172919570/a=35571754_35571754/t_=35571754

it is worth it to see the rest of the dancers costumes alone.

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Till next time,

Sayonara!